Disinfectant Change In Drinking Water
Change Helps Keep Water Mains Clean
Beginning on 9/06/10 users of water supplied by the Poughkeepsies’ Water Treatment Facility may notice a slight change in the taste of their drinking water. That taste is chlorine. There will be a change in the chemistry of the disinfectant added to drinking water at the treatment plant. The disinfectant kills bacteria in the water and helps keep the pipes in the distribution system clean. We expect to remain on free chlorine through 2011.
The change in water chemistry will not affect the safety of the water for drinking. This periodic change in disinfectant is a standard water treatment practice that is employed by most facilities that use chloramines as a disinfectant, in order to keep the distribution pipes clean.
In the unlikely event that the water remains discolored or turbid please contact your local water authority at the numbers listed below:
City of Poughkeepsie, Distribution Operator Jesse Purcell, 451-4111
Town of Poughkeepsie, Distribution Operator Keith Ballard, 462-6535
Village of Wappingers, Distribution Operator Ken Crusie, 297-3716
All other users, Water Treatment Plant Administrator Randy Alstadt, 451-4173 ext. 2003
Should you have any questions concerning this change please contact Water Plant Administrator Randy Alstadt at 451-4173 ext. 2003
CONSTRUCTION
General Improvements: Our Improvements were completed in 2005, under budget and on time. Total cost of the Improvements was $19,913,624; 1% less than the budgeted costs.
This upgrade has significantly improved our operating reliability and performance results. The project included the following:
Process Improvements
- Solids Contactor mechanisms replaced
- Trac vacs (sludge collectors for sedimentation basins replaced)
- Sludge pumps added for Solids Contactors and Trac –vacs to replace gravity system
- Filters removed and replaced with air backwash system included
- Filter to waste capability added
- Chemical Building added that contains majority of process chemicals
- Replaced Chlorine Gas with Sodium Hypochlorite
- Ultraviolet Light Disinfection added
- 3 of 4 High Lift Pumps replaced
- Backwash Pump replaced
- Sludge Thickener added
- Centrifuge Drives replaced
- Mixers replaced in sludge equalization basin
- Mixers replaced in Solids Storage Tank
Sitework
- Loading Dock added to improve deliveries
- Handicap access added to front of building
- Access road reconfigured to improve traffic flow
- Fencing replaced
- Grading improved with retaining walls
- Site drainage upgraded
- Buried fuel tanks removed
Reliability
- Low Lift Pumping Station electric switch gear replaced
- High Lift Pumping Station electric switch gear replaced
- Majority of electric replaced
- Laboratory relocated and upgraded
Safety and Working Condition Improvements
- Lighting improved
- Gas Boiler and window air conditioners replaced with Roof top heating and air conditioning
- Board Room added
- Asbestos removed
- Windows replaced
Engine Generator: Our new 2,000 KW Engine Generator was placed into service February 1, 2006. The generator is capable of providing power for our main facility. Combined with our 250 KW Generator at our Low Lift Pumping Station we are fully capable of operating our facility without electric service such as occurred in August 14, 2003.
Total installed cost of the Generator was $790,520. The project was completed on schedule and $40,495 or 5% under budget.
