Are there Water Plants in Kentucky that Use Ozone?

Water treatment plants often use various approaches to purify and disinfect water before distributing it for human consumption. One of the commonly used disinfection methods is chlorination, which involves the addition of chlorine to water. Although chlorination is effective in killing waterborne pathogens, it can have adverse effects on human health and the environment. Consequently, water treatment plants are seeking alternative disinfection treatment methods, such as ozonation.

Ozone as a Water Treatment Option

Ozone is a potent oxidizer and disinfectant and produces no harmful byproducts. It eliminates waterborne pathogens, including viruses and bacteria, and reduces the need for other chemicals, such as chlorine. Furthermore, ozone treatment can improve water taste and odor and reduce water discoloration. Therefore, water treatment plants in Kentucky and other states are beginning to incorporate ozonation into their water treatment processes.

A Look at Ozonation in Kentucky

The City of Louisville Water Company, the largest water treatment plant in Kentucky, is one example of a facility that has incorporated ozonation. In early 2018, the company completed a $42 million project to upgrade its water treatment processes to include ozonation. The upgrade ensures that the city's drinking water is safer, cleaner, and better tasting. The project included the construction of new ozonation facilities and the installation of ozone generation equipment.

Another notable example is the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government's (LFUCG) Division of Water Quality. The LFUCG has been using ozone to disinfect water for over 20 years, since 1996. The process involves introducing ozone into raw water as it enters the water treatment plant, then allowing it to react with impurities before filtering the water. The use of ozone in the water treatment plant has helped the LFUCG to achieve compliance with stringent drinking water regulations.

Benefits of Ozone in Water Treatment

The addition of ozonation in water treatment plants in Kentucky has numerous benefits. One of the key benefits is that it provides a more effective method of water treatment than other chemical disinfection processes. The use of ozone in water treatment can also lead to a reduction in the levels of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) that are formed during chlorination, which can be harmful to humans. Furthermore, ozonation can also remove harmful pesticides, organic chemicals, and foul tastes and odors from water. These benefits make the use of ozonation a beneficial addition to water treatment processes in Kentucky and other states.

Conclusion

Overall, the incorporation of ozonation in water treatment processes is an effective option for disinfecting water and improving its quality. The use of ozone is a growing trend in water treatment plants in Kentucky and other states, as it provides numerous benefits, including better water quality, reduction of harmful byproducts and improvement of taste and odor. Residents can expect to enjoy cleaner and safer drinking water from these plants that have implemented ozonation in their water treatment processes.