The water receives a final chemical treatment of chlorine, while en route, to help inhibit bacterial growth in the distribution system. By the time it reaches the reservoir, it is pure and completely potable. From the reservoir, the finished water flows by gravity into two 16 foot diameter tunnels which will carry it to the pumping stations strategically located throughout the city. The entire purification process takes about eight hours. This is the Control Center.
All orders concerning plant operations originate here.
Pumpage changes, chemical feed rates, and filter wash schedules are among the vital plant functions directed from this room. Pumpage rates within this plant are meticulously maintained to meet the demand for water in the city. Since Chicago's water system does not include any significant storage facilities, close pumpage control is extremely important for uninterrupted service. The panel section to the right contains weather data, such as wind direction and velocity, barometric pressure, air and water temperatures and rainfall. All of this information is used to forecast the quality of raw lake water and pumpage demand.