In 1999, the water plant staff included five full-time operators, all licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Three of the staff hold Class 1 waterworks operator licenses while two are licensed at the Class 2 level. The Virginia Waterworks Regulations require a Class 2 license or higher to operate the Big Stone Gap Water Treatment Plant. Processes that were employed to render the water safe to drink include coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration which remove solids and microorganisms from the raw water. Disinfection by chlorination is employed to counter any microorganisms not eliminated by the solids removal processes.
Fluoridation increases cavity-fighting protection for our citizens.
Testing by our staff plus automated analysis equipment insures continuous monitoring of water quality throughout the treatment process. The Big Stone Gap Water Treatment Plant was originally constructed in the early 1960 s. In the last three years, the water plant staff has been evaluating all processes to insure optimum treatment. A number of items have been repaired, upgraded, or replaced when obsolete. Installation of a back-up generator 2.