Last week, the Portland Water District Board of Trustees approved funding for a $2 million project to eliminate gaseous chlorine from the East End Wastewater Treatment Facility. Liquid hypochlorite will replace the chlorine gas and sodium bisulfite will replace the sulfur dioxide used in the disinfection process at the plant. The project is expected to begin this summer and is anticipated to be complete in the spring of 2006.
The current chlorination system has been operating since the plant was constructed in 1979. Ongoing concerns surrounding the operation of chlorine gas systems, including emergency response, operator training, safety, and recent security concerns, have prompted the Portland Water District to seek a safer alternative to meet disinfection requirements at this facility. In April of this year, Trustees voted to undertake this project and awarded a contract to Waterlines Industries of Seabrook, New Hampshire.
In addition to the elimination of hazardous substances, this project will add redundant processes and better control measures that will further improve the performance of the plant.
In addition, gaseous chlorine will be eliminated from the Sebago Lake Water Treatment Facility in Standish. The project to replace the chlorine system with hypochlorite will begin in the fall and is expected to be complete in the spring of 2006.
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