Water Treatment Plant Summary
On June 11, 2004 our group visited the Vermillion Water Treatment Plant for a tour to see how exactly they cleanse water to make it sanitary. When we met our tour guide Tom he first told us that they use water from 5 different wells, and that they usually clean about 3,000,000 gallons of water in a day. Later in the tour we were told that they use carbon dioxide to control the pH level, also they add limestone and soot ash to make water softer. They use about 2,500 lbs of limestone and soot ash per day.
The water treatment plant uses a device called a chlorinator which makes the chlorine that they use for their water to cleanse it by destroying the bacteria in the water. With a chlorinator it can be less hazardous than the chlorine gas tanks which could jeopardize the lives of people if there was spill. As can be seen in the pictures, the Waste Water Treatment Plant out of town uses chlorine gas, and the Water Treatment Plant uses a chlorinator (one of two in SD).
They add phosphate to keep the filters clean, and they test the water 4 times a day to make sure it’s alright. By adding fluoride they decrease the probability of getting tooth decay from the water.
Photo by M. Waters