City of Salem – 08/04/21 3:00 PM
Salem, Ore., A ribbon cutting, and celebration marks the completion of the City of Salem’s new state-of the-art ozone water treatment facility as community leaders, special guests and staff gathered at Geren Island in recognition of this important achievement and investment in Salem’s drinking water.
The $48 million state-of-the-art ozone treatment facility will provide an added layer of protection against algae blooms, severe weather events, and wild fires. Ozone is one of the strongest disinfectants used to treat water―even stronger than chlorine. It improves the taste of and removes odors from drinking water. Ozone will ensure Salem has consistently high-quality water that tastes great all year round. Ozone is a proven water treatment method used across the country and in neighboring communities like Lake Oswego, Tigard, Medford, and Wilsonville.
“We chose ozone treatment to enhance our existing treatment processes because of its demonstrated ability to successfully treat algal toxins and other contaminants. This long-term investment in ozone treatment along with other improvements at Geren Island will ensure that Salem’s water is safe today and for generations into the future. I’m proud of the advancements we’ve made in our water system with this project,” Brian Martin, City Engineer.
Carollo Engineers, one of the nation’s top water quality engineering firms, designed the ozone treatment system. AKS Engineering and Forestry provided project management and inspection services and Slayden Construction of Stayton performed the construction, providing jobs in support of local economy.
The new ozone treatment facility, is named after the late Public Works Director, Frank Mauldin, who led the agency from 1988 to 2002.
