Tennessee American Water said today it has begun operating a new disinfection building, which the water utility built over the past year to use a safer chemical process for purification of water it distributes from the Tennessee River throughout the Chattanooga region.
The $5.8 million building at the Chattanooga water treatment plant replaces a different disinfection system and enhances public and employee safety standards at the treatment plant.
“This investment in the water treatment plant is a shield for our customers and water-borne disease,” said Tennessee American Water President Darlene Williams. “At the end of every tap is a family counting on us to provide safe, clean water.”
In 2018, Tennessee American Water removed a 1940-era filter building to make way for the safer and more reliable disinfection building.
“This is another example over the last five years of the $92 million infrastructure improvements Tennessee American Water has made to maintain high water quality standards and assure safety is met for customers, employees, the drinking water system and the environment,” company spokeswoman Daphne Kirksey said.
Kirksey said the prior system was reaching the end of its life cycle and the new system is safer and more reliable.