PCWA moving ahead on treatment plant

From Staff Reports

Construction on a new treatment and filtration plant to process water from Mulco and Ammon springs is expected to begin in January 2017, according to General Manager Jack Damron, Polk County Water Authority (PCWA).

Plans for the 20-24 month project are 95 percent complete and bids should go out in November or December, Damron reported. The plant will have a 2 million gallon per day production capacity and provide filtered water from both springs.

Damron said in a report to the Development Authority of Polk County that the project is the result of a series of events that will require the plant to be constructed. Design and development are being completed by R.J. Wood and Company, P.E.

Early this year, as a result of heavy rains in the area, Mulco Spring was infiltrated by water from the spring aquifer. It was apparently compromised by some underground event.

“We believe the aquifer substructure was damaged somehow causing ground water to leak into the spring,” Damron said. “We have no way of knowing what actually occurred, or where. And even if we could locate the problem, it would be virtually impossible to repair. The possibility for future damage is almost certain.”

Turbidity (clarity of water) prompted a shutdown and flushing of water pipes in the area and boil water advisory for residents for a few days in mid-February.

Once completed, the plant will serve 8,000 customers daily, and will be fully automated so that work can be done from smart phones, Damron said.

He said the site for the new plant was purchased from the family of Jimmy Lester in 2012. The 9.5-acre site is adjacent to Mulco Spring.