Water Superintendent Explains Water Quality(posted July 10) (updatd July 12, added news release from the Marion County Soil & Water Conservation District about the effects of bottled water on the environment.) Point the blame at blooming algae and chlorination for the poor taste and odor in Speedway's water. Water Superintendent Mike Littlejohn explained the treatment process and the culprits that can trigger taste and odor complaints from residents. He apprised the town council at the July 9 meeting in an attempt to settle complaints raised by Oliver Jones at the June 25 meeting. Blooming algae in Eagle Creek Reservoir has been known to cause odor. He expected the algae problem to continue to worsen as development continues to destroy the watersheds that act as filters to block the organics that enter into the streams that eventually feed the algae growth. Littlejohn said the quality of water from the creek has not changed, it is the water quality at the reservoir that is deteriorating because of sediment build up over time. He was grateful for the Indianapolis Water Company treating the algae problem. The best method of treating the algae is at the source with copper sulphate in a time release method. The Indianapolis Water Company is responsible for treatment at the reservoir. He said chlorination is required by the EPA to disinfect the water from viruses and bacteria. The chlorine often emits an unpleasant taste and odor. The other side effect of chlorination is the molecular compounds that are created to kill the organics. These by-products are trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids. There are numerous articles on the internet discussing health detriments that are linked to these by-products. Littlejohn said the EPA is moving away from chlorination treatment because birth defects have been linked to the treatment He also noted the scientific studies are somewhat questionable. The new ruling to end chlorination is based on a consensus among Washington DC, EPA and the environmentalists. By 2008, the EPA is requiring a reduction in organic material that should lower the amount of chlorine needed to kill the organic matter. Speedway will not be exempt from the ruling. He said new technologies are on the horizon to the kill the organic material, but Littlejohn has no cost estimates for the 2008 mandatory project because a treatment method has not been selected. Some new technologies involve using ozone to kill the organic materials in the distribution system. People can avoid the chlorinated taste by purchasing bottle water. He noted the EPA controls the tap water while the FDA regulates bottled water. Bottled water is exempted from the chlorination treatment unlike tap water. The EPA requires the chlorinated taste to indicate that is has been disinfected. He also noted that bottled water does not contain fluoride that protects children's teeth from decay. He noted the water goes through a flash mixer that stirs the water so the chemicals are evenly dispersed into the water. Littlejohn explained the average daily operations to treat between 2.5 and 3 million gallons of water per day. It takes about three and a half to four hours to complete the treatment cycle. He said the gaseous chlorination is used at three different points of treatment. The surface water is first chlorinated at the point of entry, again before filtering, and then after filtration. He noted Speedway also relies on 12 wells that are located between Eagle Creek and Lynhurst Drive and 21st Street and Tenth Street. He said in the 1960's, a study was conducted that projected Speedway's population to be 30,000 by 1990. “Of course that didn't happen because of Unigov,” he said. During the race, both the wells and surface waters are being pumped through the system. It is not unusual for the demand to climb to seven million gallons for race events. He said the water draws from the wells are rotated and each is given between 30 to 60 minutes recovery time to help prevent iron buildup. He noted the wells are now monitored by radio links with the advent of digital systems. The one thing that sends “the chills” down his spine is the loss of power. “It is helpless feeling,” he said. The water plant does not have a backup generator system. It is supplied by two substations to reduce the chances of a loss of power. “IPL is always quick to respond,” he said. However, by 2010, the capital improvements fund is budgeting a generator that could cost around $1 million to $2 million. Upstream actions do effect Speedway's plant. He noted he shuts the plant down from receiving surface water when Eagle Creek Dam opens all four gates by one foot during the heavy rains. The water level rises above the intake level so that only sand and rocks are being pulled in, blocking the system. Steven McMahon, dam operator, notifies Littlejohn when he is going to open the locks, so Littlejohn can make the adjustments to switch to well water. Littlejohn said his worst nightmare was in February 2002 when an eight inch fire valve burst at Electric Steel Casting. The valve burst because of the freezing in the old abandoned building. He said it took forever for the town to pinpoint the loss of water pressure. The town employees had to skinny through the locked gate to get to the valve to shut it off. He said the valve was not shut off when the plant was closed and that the person who checked the valve each day decided not to check the building that day due the ice and snow. The north side of town lost all of the water pressure because it is thirty feet higher in elevation. The residents on the south side of town were left with very little pressure, but they had water. He also noted the drought of 1988 created an ordinance that zoned the town into quadrants stating when residents were allowed to water during dry times. He said in 1988 people were “acting irrational” with watering their lawns to keep them green. |
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