Mitchell Finished Water Reservoir Replacement Mitchell Water Treatment Plant

Our drinking water is pumped from three reservoirs to one of two treatment plants where the water is pumped into the system of tanks and pipes that lead to your home. The Mitchell Water Treatment Plant has the capacity to deliver 30 millions of gallons of water per day (mgd), while Lake Townsend Water Treatment Plant can deliver 30 mgd. In the coming months at the Mitchell Plant, the finished water reservoir, also known as the big dome at the corner of Bryan Blvd and Battleground Ave, will undergo replacement due to age and deterioration.

Currently 3 MGD of finished treated water is stored in this massive dome, so it’s important to maintain its structural integrity. The 80-year old dome is displaying signs of distress with crumbing concrete, decaying bricks, and leaks along the base of the reservoir. The structure will be replaced with a smaller dome that has the capacity to hold 1 MGD.

As many of you may already know, water goes through a very intense treatment process before it can be distributed to homes and business. After the process is complete the finished water is stored in the reservoir. Water leaving the storage tank is stabilized, fluoridated, and chlorinated in-line on the way to the distribution pumps, eventually making its way to your tap. 

The finished water reservoir structure is a critical component associated with water treatment. The benefits associated with replacing the current structure include:

  • Increase the amount of contact time between the water and the disinfectant
  • Removal of the current structure out of the floodplain, while improving the level of protection against floods by raising the current height.
  • Opportunity to improve the current piping to and from the reservoir
  • Reservoir reduction will increase property size and allow future improvement projects to progress.