Utilities Department
WATER TREATMENT/WATER DISTRIBUTION
Clean, good tasting water is something most citizens of Heath take for granted. The Heath Water Treatment Plant provides this refreshing water source through its state-of-the-art facility on Dorsey Mill Road. The facility provides consistent water quality and capacity 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year. Whether you are a home owner who wants good-tasting, odor-free water or a commercial business that needs a reliable water source, the Water & Wastewater Department is ready to serve Heath’s water needs well into this new century and beyond.
The first water treatment plant and distribution system was constructed in 1956. The original water plant had a capacity of 0.9 million gallons per day (mgd). In 1969, the plant was upgraded to 1.8 mgd. The one million gallon reservoir was constructed on Starhill and in 1990 the PIME reservoir was added to increase storage capacity to 1.98 million gallons.
In 1993, the elevated storage tanks on 30th Street and in the Mid-Ohio Industrial Park were demolished, decreasing capacity to 1.63 million gallons. The 1998 upgrade increased the plant capacity to 4 mgd and added a 500,000 gallon clearwell to increase storage capacity to 2.38 million gallons. Today, the plant averages 1.3 mgd, and is manned between 18 and 20 hours a day, spanning over 2 shifts. The Water Treatment and Distribution Plants are also responsible for 369,793 feet of waterlines; and 588 fire hydrants. Other responsibilites of the Utilities Department include hydrant maintenance and repair, main breaks, sewer tap inspections, and marking lines for taps.
Heath placed First in the 2nd Annual Water Tasting Contest in August of 1994. The event was sponsored by the Southwest District and the Southeast District of the American Water Works Association (Ohio Section).
WASTEWATER
The first wastewater plant was constructed in 1962, with a design flow of 1 mgd.
In 1972, the design flow was increased to 2 mgd. The last upgrade was in 1991, which
decreased the design flow to 1.75 mgd, but has a peak flow of 7 mgd to handle storm
events. The anaerobic digesters were converted to aerobic in 1997 to comply with the
new EPA regulations on sludge disposal. The final
two lift stations were replaced in
2001 to complete all thirteen stations in the past 11 years. Back-up generators will
be added to most of the remaining Wastewater lift stations and two (2) will be added
to the Water booster stations.
The Wastewater Plant currently averages 1.2 mgd, and is monitored 5 days a week over 2 shifts, with regular checks over weekends. The Wastewater Plant is responsible for 106,268 feet of stormlines; 259,077 feet of sanitary sewer lines; and 1052 sanitary sewer manholes.
The plant operates under stringent guidelines for wastewater set forth by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
