UPDATE: Plans to install new filters at the Shinnston Water Treatment Plant have been temporarily postponed following line testing conducted at the facility on Friday, August 1st.  

 

Earlier this year the City was approved for financing on a lease/purchase agreement allowing for the purchase and installation of new filters.  These will replace the existing filters which have been in place since the plant was constructed in 1978. 

 

The new filters are expected to greatly increase efficiency in plant operations, both in terms of monetary operations as well as capacity to produce water.  

 

The installation process began with line testing on Friday, August 1st. The physical installation of the filters was originally scheduled to begin on Monday, August 4th.  Upon completion of the line testing, it was determined that the best course of action was to delay the installation.

 

“We went ahead with the line testing to prepare for the installation” says Assistant City Manager Travis Blosser.  “The tests revealed that we needed to make some additional improvements in the treatment process to be able to adequately supply water during the filter installation.  Those are the steps we are now taking, which have lead to a slight delay.” 

 

Blosser says it is vital that is project be done correctly.

 

“This project is tremendously important to the future our utility.  We want to make sure we do the job correctly.  That means exploring the options to find the right one for our customers.  We do not want to rush into a project without knowing that we can maintain adequate levels of water production.  Our goal is to complete the installation efficiently with as little impact on the customer as possible.”

 

Once started, the installation process will take 20 days to complete.  

 

During the duration of the project, the water plant will be operating at levels below normal production capacity.  Although this is not expected to affect everyday usage, water customers are being asked to curtail any excess use of water, such as washing of vehicles, filling swimming pools, etc.  

 

The installation of these new filters is a major component of the City’s plan to maximize efficiency and reduce unnecessary costs associated with operation of the utilities, while also allowing for increased capacity and quality of product.