One hundred and eighty miles of pipes running throughout the towers carry water which is heated to 3000 degrees. The resultant steam is used to spin the generating turbines that ultimately produce the electricity. The water used in this system is provided by a reservoir fed by the Skookumchuck River. A 165 foot high dam on the Skookumchuck River is used to ensure a year-round water supply for the plant. The plant attempts to operate the steam generating system with a minimum of external water.
Input compensates for water loss from evaporation and leakage.
Water used in the coal washing process is first treated in a series of settling ponds which allow for the sedimentation of distillates. The plant treats and tests the water before it is released into Hanaford Creek. Sediments from the settling pond are returned to the open mine areas which are re-graded to conform as closely as possible to the original topography. The Centralia Mining Company maintains an ongoing reclamation project which involves topsoil replacement and replanting of acreage disturbed by the surface mining and mining equipment. The ESP are credited with a high degree of efficiency.