|
Tuesday, 24 November 2009 |
|
By Steve Browne North Dakota State Water Commission engineer Dale Frink says it’s unlikely a possible upgrade of the city of Fargo’s water treatment facilities will affect plans to release Devils Lake water into the Sheyenne River.
Fargo is conducting a study of possible water treatment options, including adding a nanofiltration treatment process to its existing facilities, Fargo City Administrator Pat Zavoral said last week.
The study came in response to a potential rise in sulfate levels in the Sheyenne due to increased water from Devils Lake. Sulfates are naturally occurring chemicals that have a laxative effect in humans.
Fargo draws its water supply from both the Sheyenne and Red rivers, switching from one to the other according to which has higher-quality water, Zavoral said.
“I don’t think it’s necessary for Fargo to switch systems,” Frink said. “Though nanofiltration treatment is a superior system and a lot of cities are switching to it.”
Valley City is building a nanofiltration reverse osmosis water treatment system to deal with the expected rise in sulfate levels in the Sheyenne. The Devils Lake outlet is expected to begin pumping at an increased rate of 250 cubic feet per second this June.
Zavoral said last week studies have shown there is little dilution of dissolved sulfates in the river between the Baldhill Dam, north of Valley City, and Fargo.
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 07 January 2010 )
|
