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McAlester water superintendent reports compliance gains, new pumps and SCADA upgrades
Summary
Water treatment plant superintendent Lucky Huff told council the plant has achieved compliance goals, eliminated a consent order for disinfection byproducts through a flushing program, and is installing new high-service pumps and SCADA controls to improve operations and reduce chemical and power costs.
Lucky Huff, McAlester’s water treatment plant superintendent, briefed the council on operations and capital improvements, saying the plant has made measurable progress toward compliance and reliability.
Huff said staff implemented a flushing program, completed remedial work on towers and discharge meters, and expects to have two new high-service pumps operational by mid to late August; once the pumps and variable-frequency drives are online the city will begin demolishing and rebuilding the remaining two pumps. He said the upgrades contributed to eliminating a long-standing consent order for disinfection byproducts by increasing circulation and reducing residence time in the distribution system.
Huff described other upgrades under way, including filter rehabilitation, a new mixer at the tower, and a phased move to flow-paced chemical feeds, all intended to reduce chemical use and operating costs. He said the plant is also planning SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) improvements to automate monitoring, integrate the new pumps and controls, and improve response and efficiency.
Huff asked residents to consider a plant tour to see operations firsthand and highlighted that the plant’s generator backups had successfully maintained service during a recent dual failure at the lake and pump-house site. Councilors commended the operations team for training, technical gains and cost-saving measures including switching to more standard power service that could reduce annual electric bills.
Huff closed by noting workforce training and certifications have been a priority, and that continued rehabilitation projects will be budgeted and scheduled in the coming year.
