Water Plant

 

 

The history of our water system dates back to 1872, when water was first piped to the City of Lebanon from the newly constructed Rexmont Supply Dams. At that time, raw water, untreated and unfiltered, was served to the residents.

 

Our present day system utilizes surface water supplied by two sources. One is a 1.2 billion gallon impound reservoir, Siegrist Dam, located in Schuylkill County, fourteen miles to the north of the Plant. The other source is the Swatara Creek, a narrow river that flows through Lebanon County, with our intake located three miles to the west of the Plant. We have the flexibility of using either source independently or combined.

 

Our treatment facility, a 10 million gallon a day Water Plant, went into operation in 1972. The processes used at our facility include: chemical addition; contact detention; coagulation; rapid mixing; flocculation; oxidation; precipitation; sedimentation; filtration; and post chemical addition, including: chlorination; fluoridation; and stabilization.

 

Lime is used for raising pH and alkalinity, and for stabilization. Ferric Sulfate is used for coagulation. Potassium Permanganate is used for oxidation. Activated Carbon is used for taste and odor control. Chlorine is used for disinfecting, and, in combination with Ammonia, to form Chloramines. Hydrofluosilicic Acid is used for fluoridation.

 

Water is filtered through one of six dual media filter beds. After passing through the treatment and filtering processes, the water is stored in a 3 million gallon underground clearwell. From there, it is pumped to our distribution system and/or our treated water storage facilities which include: a 6 million gallon underground storage reservoir; three standpipes with capacities of 3 million, 1.75 million, and 0.5 million gallons; and a 1 million gallon Hydropillar.

 

In actuality, we service three separate distribution systems from this facility: the North System, comprised of; Bunkerhill, Jonestown, West Jonestown, Indiantown Gap, Lickdale, Fredericksburg, and portions of Swatara and Union Townships. The South System , comprised of;  Lebanon, West Lebanon, Ebenezer, Cleona, Pleasant Hill, Hebron, Avon, Avon Heights, Cornwall, and portions of North Cornwall, North Lebanon, and South Lebanon Townships. Through this, we also sell water to the Hershey Water Co. through an interconnection on Rt. 422. Our third system is the Sandhill System, comprised of; Sandhill, Rockwood, Weavertown, and portions of North Lebanon Township.

 

Fourteen operation and maintenance people, including twelve fully state certified, are employed at this round the clock water works facility located between Rockwood and Bunkerhill, just off Grace Ave.