“City Minute”
March 2, 2018
The City of Phillipsburg Water Treatment Plant will begin a routine maintenance project at the water treatment plant on March 5th that wlill impact the softening process. During the estimated 21-day project, the inside of the Clair-cone (pictured) will be cleaned ande painted. The Clari-cone is the primary component of the water softening process in the Water Plant.
The $68, 400 project was approved by the City Council on February 19th and awarded to Torrey Brother’s Construction Inc from Wamego Kansas. This company has completed several similar projects for the City of Phillipsburg in the past several years.
Why is this maintenance important? Routine maintenance is crucial for the plant’s health, as well as, the quality of the water provided to our customers. This project will remove and prevent corrosion of the Clari-Cone by utilizing high pressure washing and blasting. All surfaces will be prepared to receive primer and three coats of Tnemec Epoxy paint. This paint is requires a 10-days waiting period before it can be submersed in water. This is an important project that will help extend the life of our water treatment plant.
What can our customers expect during cleaning? Our water softening process will be temporarily shut down starting on March 5, 2018 for approximately 21 days. Hardness levels during the shutdown most likely will increase from 18 grains per gallon to as high as 35 grains per gallon. Water users who utilized water softeners should adjust their equipment accordingly.
The effects of the shutdown may be evident in the distribution system for several weeks with normal hardness levels in the system should be reached by Mid-April. Dishwasher, laundry equipment and coffee makers will most likely be affected with customers experiencing hard water staining or film present on dishes.
The City is sharing this information with our customers to increase awareness. Although this project is an inconvenience, the water still meets all applicable water standards and is completely safe to consume. We ask for the community’s patience during this project as it is a crucial step in the preservation of our plant infrastructure. If you have any question or concerns feel free to contact us at the City Office at 785-543-5234.