Water Treatment Plant
The primary function of the Water Treatment Department is to provide a high quality supply of clean drinking water and a dependable supply of water for fire suppression.
All sources of drinking water are subject to potential contamination by substances that are naturally occurring or manmade. These substances can be microbes, inorganic or organic chemicals and radioactive substances. All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. Water treatment is the process of cleaning the water. The City's Water Treatment Plant uses a four step process to treat the water. In the first step alum (aluminum sulfate) is added to the untreated water to make particles like dirt, sediment and other substances in the water coagulate, or stick together. These particles clump together into larger particles called "floc". In the second step, the water enters the settling tank, or sedimentation basin. The "floc" particles are heavier than water so they settle to the bottom of the tank. During the third step, the water flows through the sand and charcoal filters. In the final step, the water passes through an ultra violet light system to kill any germs, then chlorine is added to the water to keep it safe in the distribution system as it travels to your tap.
Water Plant Department Responsibilities
- Plans for future development.
- Prepares budget recommendations for the City Manager.
- Provides a safe and adequate supply of water to the citizens of Bandon and the greater Bandon area.
- Ensures that the water quality meets or exceeds state, local and federal regulation.
- Prepare required annual water quality reports.
Activities and Service Level Description
Water treatment consists of the water treatment plant, a settling pond, 2 pump stations and 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 gallon storage tanks. Water is drawn from Ferry and Geiger Creeks and pumped to a settling pond. It is then pumped to the treatment plant where it is treated, disinfected, pumped to the storage tanks and then gravity fed to the City. The plant is capable of treating 1,400 gallons of water per minute (2,000,000 gallons per day). The City’s peak water demand has been as high as 1,500 gallons per minute. The daily consumption ranges from a high of 1.1 million gallons per day for summer use to 300,000 gallons per day for winter use.
The water distribution system (mains and lines) is operated in conjunction with the Public Works Department.
History
Prior to 1955 the City of Bandon got its water from Spring Creek and pumped it directly into wooden water lines. In 1955 the City started getting its water from Ferry and Geiger creeks. They also built a 1 million gallon storage tank, replaced the wooden water mains and started disinfecting and controlling the PH of the water.
In 1982 the City completed the building of its first water plant. They bought three (3) used water filters from Roseburg Water District, built a new clarifier and started full water treatment. In 2000 the City completed a full renovation of the Water Treatment Plant to bring it into compliance with the new water treatment laws. The new treatment plant will ensure that the City will be able to meet future city needs and new water treatment rules.
Funding
The activities of the Water Department are operated primarily out of the Water Fund, and are financed by revenues collected from the sale of water to utility customers. The revenues collected through System Development Charges (SDC’s) for new water installations are deposited into the Water SDC fund for use in various improvement projects to upgrade and expand the capacity of the water treatment and distribution system.
