HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 STUDY SESSION STUDY SESSION
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Pieter Van Ry, Sarah Stone
DEPARTMENT: Utilities
DATE: March 17, 2025
SUBJECT: Taste, Odor, and Hardness Updates
DESCRIPTION:
Study Session on taste, odor, and hardness of water.
RECOMMENDATION:
This study session aims to provide an overview of the factors affecting the taste, odor, and
hardness of the City of Englewood's (City) water supply. Staff will present current treatment
processes and potential strategies for addressing concerns related to these issues.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
January 16, 2024 – Utilities staff presented at Study Session on the Utilities 2023
Customer Survey Results
May 23, 2022 – Utilities staff presented at Study Session on the Utilities 2022 Customer
Survey & Taste and Odor Study
SUMMARY:
Utilities staff will provide City Council with an update to its multifaceted approach to address
water taste, odor, and hardness issues.
ANALYSIS:
Residents have periodically expressed concerns regarding taste and odor fluctuations, as well
as hardness levels in the City’s water supply. These characteristics are influenced by several
factors, including source water composition, seasonal changes, treatment processes, and
distribution system conditions.
Taste and Odor: Typically caused by naturally occurring organic compounds, algae
blooms, or chlorine residuals used for disinfection. While not a health concern, they can
impact public perception of water quality.
Water Hardness: Primarily influenced by calcium and magnesium concentrations in
source water. While hard water does not pose health risks, it can contribute to scaling in
pipes and appliances.
Utilities staff will present its ongoing efforts to address these issues, and steps moving forward.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED:
None, study session item.
Page 5 of 2454
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None, study session item.
CONNECTION TO STRATEGIC PLAN:
Sustainability:
Invest in water infrastructure
ATTACHMENTS:
PowerPoint Presentation
Page 6 of 2454
Taste, Odor and Hardness Updates
Presented By
Englewood Utilities and South Platte Renew Director, Pieter Van Ry
Utilities Water Operations Manager, Zackery Alabbasi
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Approach
•Historically….
•Water taste, odor and hardness issues
•Concerns about water safety
•Difficulty identifying the source of the problem
•Lack of a proactive response strategy for the public
•Operational inefficiencies and limitations
•Under investment (infrastructure & staffing)
•Today …
•T&O analysis of all water streams
•South Reservoir is a prime source of the issue
•Direct flow of water from City Ditch and South Platte
•Operations optimization
•Significant increases in staffing and funding
North Reservoir
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Approach - Source Water
•Executing the plan
Optimize source water blending
Direct connect City Ditch
Direct connect directly to the plant & reservoir
Eliminating T&O compounds in reservoirs
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Approach – Sludge Removal
•Executing the plan
•Treatment Process
•Removed 550 dry tons of sludge from South reservoir
•New dredging and dewatering process (Centrifuge)
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Approach – Distribution
•Executing the plan
•Distribution System
•Data-driven flushing program (stagnant areas)
•Mixers in the Sherman and Zuni tanks
•Investigating every customer complaint
•Main line replacement program
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Approach – Hardness
•Average Hardness in 2023 = 225 mg/l
•Average Hardness in 2024 = 149 mg/l
•34% Reduction
•34% reduction in hardness and other contaminants
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Approach – Hardness (cont’d)
Water Hardness Scale
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Steps Moving Forward
•Maximize use of City Ditch water
•Monitoring of T&O organics and hardness
•Use PAC and Ozone as needed
•Dewater all sludge in South reservoir
•Algae treatment in North reservoir
•Optimize treatment process from source to tap
•Communicate findings with customers
•Piping City Ditch
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Questions?
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