Improvements for water plant discussed
Morgan Marler, water treatment plant operator, spoke Tuesday to the Hillsboro City Council regarding planned upgrades.
Marler said the city looked at three different upgrade options for the plant — ozone, chlorine dioxide, and ultraviolet disinfection.
The engineer's and Marler's long term solution was ultraviolet disinfection because there are no by-products.
However, for the short term, chlorine dioxide is the treatment method that will be used.
"It's similar to chlorine but with fewer by-products," said Marler.
The cost per thousand gallons for chlorine dioxide is nine cents and ultra violet cost per thousand gallons is 11 cents.
"The cost estimates are based on one million gallons per day, every day," said Marler, "so the cost estimates are high because Hillsboro doesn't use that much."
Steve Garrett, city administrator, added that the cost should not be the driving force but a consideration.
Delores Dalke, mayor, said to lease the equipment for the chlorine dioxide method, it will cost the city $18,000 per year.
"Do we have to put the water in storage and day tanks?" asked Dalke.
Marler answered no because the chemicals will be purchased in smaller quantities and can be stored without the storage and day tanks, which are for long term usage.
Garrett told the council that the city is "heading toward a final engineering project by the end of the month."
Dalke asked if the chlorine dioxide treatment method would be the city's back-up system, after the ultraviolet system is installed. Marler answered the chlorine contact basin will be the back- up.
"We've been talking about water plant upgrade for years," said Dalke. She added that she would like to see some results.
Garrett presented a timeline for water treatment plant improvements. June 1 to Aug. 1 the city will go for bids. By Sept. 1 the city will open bids. Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 1 the city will obtain approvals from various agencies and notice to proceed. Mobilization and construction will begin Nov. 1 to Jan. 1, 2005.
The construction process will be a 12-month period.
