Repairs return Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant to full capacity

Reliable drinking water depends on equipment throughout the treatment process working as designed. Two projects at the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant will restore full treatment capacity, protect critical equipment and help maintain consistent water quality for Tyler residents. 

On Wednesday, Oct. 28, the Tyler City Council approved $461,437.90 in equipment repairs and replacement work at the treatment plant. All three projects are funded through the Tyler Water Utilities Operating Fund. 

One project focuses on an early step in the treatment process, when incoming water is quickly mixed with treatment chemicals that help prepare it for drinking use. The plant was designed with three rapid mixing areas, but equipment failures have taken one out of service, leaving the plant operating at 60% capacity with two. Water quality is not affected by having one less mixing area, but it is not sustainable for higher demand seasons like spring.  

Restoring the third will return the plant to its full capacity and help the plant operate as designed. City Council approved $222,496.90 for Zone Industries to complete the work needed to return the third mixing area to service.  

Another project will replace equipment that keeps the plant’s ozone treatment system from overheating. Ozone helps reduce organic material in the water during treatment, reducing the earthy taste and odor, but the process generates heat that must be controlled to protect the equipment. 

The existing chiller has been in service since 2003 and has reached the end of its useful life. $124,132 was approved for Storer Services to install a new chiller, helping protect the ozone system and keep this part of the treatment process operating reliably. 

An ozone generator has also been repaired. City Council approved $114,809 for Xylem Water Solutions for electrical parts used to complete the repair. 

While much of this equipment works behind the scenes, all three projects support the same goal for residents: keeping the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant operating reliably and maintaining the processes that provide safe, high-quality drinking water to the community.