J.K. Walski, Assistant Director of Public Utilities, will accompany representatives of CH2M HILL, Inc. to the award during CEC's annual meeting in Roanoke, Virginia on June 8-11. The upgrade project began on the Northwest River Water Treatment Plant in March of 1996, and in June of 1999, the City formally dedicated the new additions. Reverse Osmosis technology allows Chesapeake to meet all currently proposed Federal and State safe drinking water standards. Among many functions, RO membranes remove excess salt that periodically migrates from the Currituck Sound.
RO membranes have extremely small pores that filter out molecular size particles.
This filtering process operates under high pressure and has been shown to be effective in salt removal. CH2M HILL, Inc. and the City of Chesapeake worked together to create the largest combined ground water and surface water treatment plant using RO technology in the United States. The Northwest River Water Treatment Plant is a model in overcoming complex challenges to employ innovative technology that effectively and efficiently meets future regulatory standards. Citizens who want more information should call the Public Utilities Department at 382-6352.