California American Water opens new well treatment plant

California American Water, a drinking water supplier and wastewater utility company, has opened a new Well Treatment unit on Nut Plains Drive in Rancho Cordova, California.

The plant will treat water contaminants Perfluorooctanoic and Perfluorooctanesulfonic acids (PFAA), which have been identified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

These contaminants are found in some fire-fighting foam and other industrial materials.

In the years 2014 and 2015, slight traces of PFAA were found at the well site by the company.

Last year, EPA has lowered its advisory levels for PFAA and the well was proactively shut down for its water treatment.

The water treatment project, costing $1.28m employs a granular activated carbon system.

California American Water operations director Audie Foster said: “California American Water is erring on the side of caution because that is in the best interest of protecting public health and safety.

“We took proactive measures to protect our community, however, small the risk. I want to thank our state, federal and local government partners for assisting us in expediting this project so we could bring this much needed well back into service.

“I see this as a good example of government and the private sector working together to efficiently accomplish the shared goal of public safety and cost-effective engineering.”
California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, provides potable and wastewater services to more than 660,000 people.