Regulatory Upgrade Improvement Project 2014

 

NEW ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT DISINFECTION AT THE CITY'S WATER PLANT 

Background

Since 1912, the City of Appleton has been providing safe, clean, drinking water to its residents. The Appleton Water Treatment Facility (AWTF) utilizes a number of processes to treat your water including softening, granular activated carbon filtration, membrane ultrafiltration, and disinfection with chlorine and chloramines (a combination of chlorine and ammonia).

New Treatment Technology 

The State of Wisconsin and the EPA recently created new water standards to reduce Cryptosporidium and Giardia in drinking water. To meet the standards, a Technical Advisory Group was established by the Mayor. The group reviewed regulatory approved industry alternatives that would effectively meet the new regulations. From these alternatives the group recommended utilizing an ultraviolet (UV) light process as the means to inactivate Cryptosporidium and Giardia.

 

How does UV Work?

Microorganisms in the water are exposed to ultraviolet light when they pass by special lamps that are housed in UV reactors. The UV energy instantly damages the organism's genetic material (DNA). Unable to reproduce, the microorganisms no longer pose a health risk.

Regulatory Upgrade Project

The City's water plant is currently upgrading to the new UV technology. The UV process is being located downstream of the membranes and eventually will replace membranes as the pathogen barrier in 2016.

UV technology is highly effective against streptococcus, cholera, hepatitis A, polio, rotovirus, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia. In addition to UV disinfection, the AWTF is upgrading the plant computer system and is making regulatory improvements to the chlorine and filter processes. The project cost is approximately $6 million and is currently on schedule.
Other Benefits of UV

UV disinfection has the following benefits:

• Reduces formation of chlorine by-products
• Cost effective technology with low operating overhead
• Water aesthetic remain unchanged

Why make the Change?

Appleton is committed to delivering clean, safe water to all of its residents and wholesale water customers. The addition of UV disinfection to the water treatment process allows Appleton to cost effectively protect public health for many years to come.

If you have any questions regarding this project please contact:
Chris Shaw, Director of Utilities at 920-832-5945 or chris.shaw@appleton.org