Investment will increase reliable capacity and incorporate ultraviolet technology
Illinois American Water’s Peoria District will hold a groundbreaking at its Main Station Water Treatment Plant, located at 100 Lorentz Avenue in Peoria, at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 17, 2010, to celebrate approximately $15.4 million investment at the site. The significant investment will increase capacity and enhance water quality.
This plant, which was built in 1890, has undergone several improvements over the last 100 years. The original construction cost approximately $1.45 million and included the main pumping station, main well house and distribution system. The main pumping station originally housed a Worthington steam engine that drew water from the main well. In 1913 a second pumping station was built and housed an Allis Chalmers vertical triple expansion pumping engine, which was operational until 1957.
Work on the expansion of the Main Station Water Treatment Plant began last year with the design process. Construction kicks off this summer and is expected to be completed early 2012.
“Illinois American Water has served the Peoria area with reliable water service for over 100 years and this expansion will ensure we are able to provide high-quality water service for years to come,” said Karla Olson Teasley, president of Illinois American Water.
The expansion project will increase reliable capacity from 9.7 million gallons per day (MGD) to 17.5 MGD. It also involves the construction of an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection facility, which will be only the second of its kind in the state of Illinois. The UV technology, which is effective in inhibiting infection-causing microorganisms, will enhance water quality and help meet future EPA standards.
The U.S. EPA reports that the nation’s water utilities will need to make more than $335 billion in infrastructure investments over the next 20 years to ensure public health. These investments include replacing thousands of miles of pipe and upgrades to treatment plants, storage tanks and other assets.