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Treating Our Water
Surface water from Luffenholtz Creek filters down through gravel into an adjacent well where water is pumped into the treatment plant. The water is then dosed with an organic polymer to assist the filters in removing solids, and chlorine is added to disinfect potential pathogens.
In the plant chemicals remove solids and chlorine is added to kill bacteria. Treated water is then pumped to the storage tanks north of the plant. Water plant operaters continually take samples for analysis to ensure the treated water meets State standards. A local lab tests the samples and reports the results to the Public Works Superintendent and the State Department of Public Health. Test results are public information.
Links to state agencies that regulate water quality can be found on the Community/Government Links page.
As State standards change, treatment techniques and operator training must change as well. Water plant operators are State-certified and have recently upgraded their certification because of recent changes in State requirements. The City is in the process of making addition to the water treatment plant to meet these new standards.
Fluoridating water is a controversial issue in many cities. In 2003 a Council member proposed fluoridating our water, but after studying the issue the Council voted not to implement fluoridation.