Residents in the southern portion of Independence Township will soon see a difference in their water quality.
According to a letter released on Feb. 27 by Linda Richardson, director for the Department of Public Works, a new iron filtration system with disinfection will begin going online in the southern loop system on March 13.
The letter states work on the new filtration system is 95 percent complete and the first two disinfecting systems will begin operation that Monday. The first iron removal plant will be in operation the week of March 20, and the remaining treatment plants will follow shortly thereafter.
The new filtration system will remove iron and arsenic from the water, meeting the new drinking water standards established by the EPA and enforced by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
‘This will provide the residents with a much improved water supply with less maintenance for iron related problems,? the letter states.
However, residents will experience an adjustment period before seeing the benefits of the new system.
Richardson warns that after the new filtration system is running, residents will have ‘red? water for some time.
According to the letter, ‘this is due to the introduction of chlorine into the water supply. Once chlorine is added to the system, this will cause the iron deposits from inside the water mains and your homes interior plumbing to release.?
Richardson said her department plans to start flushing the southern loop system, weather permitting, by early May. This will minimize the ‘red? water, but the coloring will remain in the system at varying degrees for quite some time.
‘This could ultimately take several years to clean out the whole system,? explained Richardson. ‘This year may be just half the layers and next year the rest. This depends on the buildup ? especially since residents will have buildup in their own pipes.?
Richardson said those with water softeners will not experience as much of the ‘reddening? effect. Their home systems should do a good job of cleaning out the iron.
As for the occurrence of coliform bacteria, Richardson said residents should have no concern.
‘We test for bacteria once a month anyway,? explained Richardson. ‘I’m not concerned because each component as it goes online is tested. So we test all of it as it starts running.
‘Also, the chlorination in the system will help with any future new water mains going in. Chlorine kills the bacteria.?
According to the letter, residents will be notified by mail when the flushing is scheduled for their area.
Also, those residents with reverse osmosis systems (RO systems) should contact their equipment suppliers and representatives and make arrangements for filters to be installed to protect the equipment from the effects of the chlorine in the water supply.
‘We apologize for any inconvenience these changes cause, but know that the new system will provide you with a much improved water supply,? stated the Feb. 27 letter.
Anyone with questions about the new system can contact the Independence Township Water Department at 248-625-8222.