US EPA funds improvements to Fairmont Water Filtration Plant in US

Major improvements to the Fairmont Water Filtration Plant in West Virginia, US have been completed to provide added drinking water protections for the region.

The improvements have been made at a cost of $12.1m and were mainly financed by $8.8m of federal funds sanctioned by the US environment protection agency (EPA), including $4.4m from the federal recovery act.

The plant’s upgraded water treatment process fully utilises membrane technology, which provides close to 100% protection against waterborne pathogens to produce high-quality, safe drinking water.

Upgrades to waste material handling at the plant will eventually eliminate effluent discharge into nearby surface water, decreasing demand on the downstream Fairmont Wastewater Treatment Plant.

EPA regional administrator Shawn M Garvin highlighted that the improvements are a prime example of how the recovery act and other federal funds are making a positive difference to the communities.

"Not only are we creating a facility to meet current and future water demands, we’re also opening the door to additional economic investment in this area – bringing permanent jobs and positive impacts to the local and regional economy," said Garvin.

Fairmont’s water filtration plant is the fourth-largest publicly-owned water utility in West Virginia.

It is designed to meet the water needs of over 50,000 customers in 10 municipalities and four surrounding counties.

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Image: Major improvements have been made to the Fairmont Water Filtration Plant in West Virginia, US. Photo: Courtesy of Malepheasant