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The Water District's customer base and service area has increased to the point that major improvements and expansion of the existing water system are needed. These improvements and expansion will also take into consideration future growth and expansion of the District.
The District's current water system cannot keep up with the present maximum daily rate of water demand. The District must upgrade its system to meet the present water needs and the projected future growth within the service area.
To meet the 20-year design projections, a minimum of one additional 600 gallons per minute (gpm) well is needed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DISTRICT'S WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
1. New Lime Softening Water Treatment Plant (WTP) - Construction of a new 1,600 gpm lime softening water treatment plant. These improvements will consist of a new 8,000 sq.ft. WTP building with a 42 ft. diameter upflow solids contact clarifier, recarbonation vessel, gravity filters, chemical storage and feed equipment, pumps, electrical controls, lab and office space. Other improvements on the WTP site include a new 400,000 gallon ground storage water tank, lime and filter backwash lagoons, head tank/aerator unit and lime storage for the WTP process. A standby generator will also be added to the WTP facilities to give the District the capability of operating during power outages.
2. New Well #6 - The District currently has two groundwater wells that are used for production (Well #4 & #5). This project will add a third production Well #6 that will be capable of supplying an additional 800 gpm of water to the WTP.
3. Water Main Extensions - Several water main extensions shall be constructed as part of this water system improvements project. These water main extensions are spread out over the District in various locations, generally described as follows:
a. Along Ten Mile Creek Rd from the proposed WTP site to the north side of IL Rte 116.
b. Along the south side of IL Rte 116 from Ten Mile Creek Rd to Timberlan Rd.
c. Along the south side of IL Rte 116 from the east edge of Elizabeth Pointe subdivision to the Germantown Hills Middle School (just east of Schmidt Ln).
d. Along Fandel Rd from the south side of IL Rte 116 to the north side of the Germantown Hills Elementary School.
e. Along the south side of IL Rte 116 from Crescent Dr to Upper Skyline Dr.
f. Along Hoffman Rd from Forrest Dr to Audubon Dr - Alternate bid item that may be eliminated.
The new Caterpillar Trail water treatment plant will use the lime softening process to treat the existing well water supply. This process has many advantages in providing improved water to the District's customers.
The first benefit is softening. In the lime softening process, lime is added to the well water and reacts with the dissolved hardness creating a solid (solids residue), similar to a heavy snow. The solid residue then settles out and is removed, thereby reducing the hardness of the treated water. Since lime is a part of the reaction, it is also removed with the solids residue and no lime is left behind. This process will remove about half to two thirds of the hardness. It is important to leave some hardness in the treated water to keep it stable after it leaves the plant. The level of remaining hardness is normally not noticeable. On the other hand, very soft water is corrosive to pipes and fixtures, and is avoided. Experience shows that many customers who have home softeners will find they no longer need them after they receive the lime softened water.
The second benefit is a reduction in dissolved solids. What this means is that the well water contains dissolved minerals, just like salt dissolved in a glass of water. The dissolved minerals are not harmful. The lime softening process removes many of these compounds. As a result, customers will see fewer deposits where water has evaporated, for example, white dust around humidifiers and deposits on cars after they have been washed and dried. It is important to note that home softeners do not reduce dissolved solids, in fact, they add dissolved solids.
Other benefits of lime softened water include effective removal of the iron and manganese contained in our well water that can cause clothes and fixture staining, a stable water that is less likely to damage our customers' plumbing, color reduction, reduction in chlorine usage, and the ability to maintain a protective chlorine residual for a longer time. For those customers who choose to no longer use their home softeners, they will see savings in equipment cost or rental, salt, and maintenance. In addition, for those customers who now drink water directly from their home softener, they will see a reduction in sodium content that many are concerned about due to high blood pressure and other medical conditions. Even the solids produced in the lime softening process are useful and can be used in place of ag lime for agricultural applications.
The District Board and staff are very pleased to be able to provide such an improved water quality to its customers with the new plant.
Construction is scheduled to begin July 2006,
with completion scheduled for October 2007 *Check back during construction for pictures and updates*
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