New Media for Water Plant
Eganville – It has been over 33 years and it is time for new media for the granular active carbon filters at the Eganville water treatment plant.
“Time is of the essence,” said Bonnechere Valley Mayor Jennifer Murphy at a committee meeting of council last Wednesday afternoon.
Water and Sewer Manager Darryl Verch told council he was fortunate to be able to source the replacement quickly. The media in the filter is from 1991.
He was able to get a quote from two companies who can supply and install the media. One quote was almost $85,000 and the lower quote was $68,820. After having the quotes looked at by a consultant, he was able to make sure it was the type of product which best suits the system and he recommended going with the lower quote.
“People I speak to about this can’t believe we still have the original stuff in there but we probably lost close to 50 per cent of it already,” he said.
When they check it when doing a backwash they see a few grains are coming out each time, so it adds up.
Councillor Brent Patrick asked what condition the inside of the filter will be.
Mr. Verch said they will take the media out and inspect it. There will also be an estimate of work needed to be done.
“I threw $250,000 at him and he said it should not be that much,” he said.
Mayor Murphy said if something else needs to be done while the media is being replaced it makes sense.
There are initiatives happening with water and sewer systems because small communities just can’t afford the systems anymore, the mayor added.
Debbi Christinck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Eganville Leader
