"The Group" - Field Trip 2014

lake chaplian water treatment facility

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Group members gathered at the City of Everett Public Works Department on Wednesday, July 16 th at 8 AM. On a perfectly sunny morning, we loaded up into the tour bus piloted by our member Tim Markham from the City of Everett to travel up to beautiful Lake Chaplain.

The reservoir is located 4.5 miles northwest of North Sultan and 20 miles east of Everett. The lake’s elevation is 648.7 above sea level.

First off, we met treatment plant operator and tour guide Ted Hikel, who has been maintaining and operating the plant since 1997. He obviously is very well versed on the makeup and operation of the facility. All in all, the trip was very educational and interesting. The citizens supplied by this water source should take a great deal of comfort knowing this facility is in good hands.

Treatment & Distribution

Drinking water filtration plant:
Everett’s Drinking Water Filtration Plant uses advanced filtration processes to remove possible contaminants and takes steps to reduce the corrosiveness of the naturally soft water. Sodium hypochlorite (a chemical similar to chlorine bleach) is added to make sure the water is free of harmful organisms. Fluoride is also added for dental health purposes.

Rain and snowmelt from the Sultan Basin are collected in the Spada Lake Reservoir. The water is then transported by gravity to the Lake Chaplain Reservoir which is adjacent to the Drinking Water Filtration Plant. Public access to the Lake Chaplain Reservoir is strictly prohibited.

The water that leaves Spada Lake Reservoir first flows through the Snohomish County PUD Jackson Hydroelectric Plant to make electricity for Snohomish County PUD. The water then flows back through a three-mile-long pipe to Lake Chaplain Reservoir. When the water reaches Lake Chaplain Reservoir, part of it is diverted and returned to the Sultan River to provide in-stream flow for fish.

Distribution:
Large transmission lines ranging from 48- to 51-inches in diameter carry water from the Drinking Water Filtration Plant to Everett. As the water travels to Everett, some water providers draw their water directly from the transmission lines. The rest of the water is delivered to large, covered storage reservoirs located throughout Everett. Other water providers draw their water from these reservoirs and pipe it to their individual service areas.

The water system works primarily by gravity. The Drinking Water Filtration Plant is located at a higher elevation than Everett so the water flows downhill in the transmission lines and builds up pressure along the way. Pump stations are located where needed.

So, with all of those factoids in mind, please view the slideshow of what we were able to see.  Check it out!

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