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Palmdale paying price for quality water

Posted by: Maven on August 18, 2009 at 7:39 am

From the Antelope Valley Press:

“Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hasn’t set a timetable to regulate allowable levels of pharmaceuticals and herbicides in drinking water, the Palmdale Water District recently conducted tests to check water quality after adding granular activated carbon into the treatment process.

Granular activated carbon cost the water district $7.1 million for the initial fill plus replacement for an additional two years, according to a contract the district entered in mid-2008 with Calgon Carbon Corp. Granular activated carbon is a porous material usually made from crushed coal, but it can also come from compressed wood or coconut shells.

Based on the contract terms, Calgon will provide the material and related services for Phase II of the water treatment plant, which can process up to 35 million gallons of water a day.

Granular activated carbon absorbs organic matter such as decaying plant sediment and organic compounds, which include certain medications, health care products and herbicides. When Greg Dluzak, the water district production manager, reported the test results to the water board during its July meeting, he estimated the EPA would establish a standard for maximum contaminant levels sometime in the next 10 years.

Currently, there’s “no specified (EPA) standard methods of analysis in place,” Dluzak said. …”

Read more from the Antelope Valley Press by clicking here.

August 18, 2009 · Filed Under Southern California

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