SJWD Water District Finds a Solution to its Low Levels of Chlorine

N/Ater District (Spartanburg County, SC) is a consecutive water system that purchases finished water supply from nearby Spartanburg Water System and supplies drinking water to more than 13,000 households. The district pumps approximately 4.5 million gallons of water a day (peak days average 6.5 million gallons). Total service area relies on 450 miles of pipe to reach 140 square miles.

SJWD's customer base has recently expanded to the outer limits of their service area. This expansion caused the chlorine residual to fall below the required levels needed to maintain water quality to some outlying areas. SJWD began researching different systems and methods to increase chlorine levels. The water district considered three different methods of booster chlorination:

(1) chlorine gas;
(2) liquid chlorine; and
(3) the <%=company%>.

After reviewing the methods they had to make sure that the final solution had to meet all three of SJWD's criteria:

• Ease of operation
• Safety
• Costs

Both chlorine gas and liquid chlorine scored low marks for ease of operation and safety, as far as SJWD was concerned. Because both are considered volatile forms of chlorine, SJWD believed it would not only put their employees and the public at risk, they would spend more time and money in safety equipment and safety training. The decision to test PPG's calcium hypochlorite chlorinating system was unanimous.

SJWD and two neighboring water districts recently completed a 90-day test of the PPG system -- the first system of its kind to be tested in the state of South Carolina. Officials were pleased with the outcome of the test. The PPG System provided consistent chlorine delivery throughout the area that was being treated -- even the outer limits they originally sought to reach. The PPG system also proved to be safe, user-friendly and affordable.

"We considered chlorine gas, but our concern was safety. Then we looked at liquid chlorine and safety was also a concern. When we factored in costs, we decided it would be to our advantage to use the PPG System. In fact, we think the system has great potential for use throughout the entire state."