Iron Filter System

Loch Alpine Improvement Association

LASA:

Iron Filtration System

The LASA Iron Filtration System is finished. LASA installed the new iron filter plant for two important reasons:

improve water quality and
reduce phosphorus emissions

Interior view of the iron filtration plant.

Background

Water from the local wells contain a large amount of iron. Traditionally, a compound called polyphosphate has been added to the water in order to keep the iron in solution and, thereby, reduce the problems with insoluble iron in our water supply (staining of toilet fixtures, clothing, etc.). Unfortunately, there are two problems with the polyphosphate compound: 1] it contributes to phosphorus emissions from the Loch Alpine community and 2] it is not completely effective in eliminating problems from insoluble iron. New water quality standards have forced us to take action to reduce the amount of phosphorus that is discharged into the Huron River.

LASA decided to respond to these concerns by adding a iron filter plant to the water system. The system will be more effective in eliminating iron from our water supply and it will eliminate the need to add polyphosphate to the water. Unfortunately, the system does not completely eliminate the "phosphorus problem" (see "Reducing Phosphorus").

The New Iron Filter System

Construction of our new water system iron filter plant began on March 11, 2002 and was finished in late August, 2003.

Latest update: At long last, your new iron filter plant was put into operation on 26 August. The power blackout caused the final delay. Water analysis is complete and essentially all iron is removed and manganese is being removed. It is important to remember that we have 12 miles of water supply lines that have a light coating of iron in them so it will take at least six (6) weeks to completely clear the system of iron and other sediment. We will continue flushing lines and the tower as needed to clear iron from our system. Therefore, it is wise to maintain a water filter on your house water line.

It is important to realize that the new filter system does not soften the water and it does not eliminate the need for home water softeners or house water filters. On the other hand, the removal of iron by the filter system should increase the life of water softeners and improve their effectiveness.

The new filter system has several components (see Photos):

a new building by well #1 (AACC parking lot) to house the green-sand filtration system (which will remove manganese as well as iron)
a ten-inch raw water line from wells #2 and #3 to the new filter building
a back wash tank and sewer line
a water tower level control system to maintain system pressure

Cost

The new equipment and filter building cost approximately $625,000, which was paid from funds already available in the LASA capital improvement fund. The added operating expense for the new system will be approximately $15.00 per household, per year.