It’s not the start of the major overhaul of Rock-dale’s “since forever” red water problems, but a project now wrapping up at the Mill Street Water Plant is targeted to help out in the short run.
Thanks to a Community Development Block Grant the city is replacing the media and liners in the filter system.
FILTERS—What does that mean?
“The system purifies the water coming out of the well,” Jason Hubbell, Public Works Director, said. “It runs over sands and tiny pieces of anthracite coal. Before now the old plant hasn’t been able to filter out-iron and manganese. This will enable it to do that.”
Iron and manganese have been identified as two of the main “culprits” in the city’s perennial red water woes.
Hubbell notes that the work now being performed is at best a “band aid” for Rockdale’s water system, which will undergo a massive overhaul in upcoming years.
“Even though the water will have been treated for iron and manganese, it’s still going into those old pipes which are the other big factor in the problem,” he said.
Rockdale is in the process of beginning a $48-million upgrade of its water system. That upgrade includes replacing pipes. First of many water rate increases to deal with the situation in upcoming years has already gone into effect.
(There’s also a $15-million-plus wastewater overhaul plan).
NEW PLANT—Currently the water upgrade calls for a new water treatment plant. That decision is pending a rate study commissioned by the city council to gauge the effect of proposals from a pair of potential providers to sell already treated water to the city.
Those proposals were presented to the council during the May session.
The council wants to compare rates for its customers if such a scenario is adopted, compared to rates already forecast if the current plans play out.
If already treated water is purchased by the city, and transmitted into Rockdale water facilities through a pipeline, the city would not have to upgrade its treatment facilities.
Building a pipeline, of course, would also be a major expense.
City officials have also expressed concern over having no control over rates if it becomes a water customer of another entity.
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