If Approved, System Could Make It Easier To Produce Safe Drinking Water

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
August 24, 2011

CARY, NC –  At last night’s work session, the Cary Town Council directed staff to ask the US Army Corps of Engineers to study a proposed environmentally sensitive and cost-effective lake aeration system that could provide better water quality in part of Jordan Lake. The proposed water quality enhancement project would include an aeration system to gently move oxygen rich water from the surface of the lake to the oxygen poor lower lake depths, resulting in better circulation in the lake for an overall better water environment.  The aeration system would float on the lake near the Cary/Apex Water Treatment Plant’s intakes in the area of US 64 bridge and Farrington Road.

“Lake aeration technologies have been used in North Carolina as well as in several locations throughout the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia in water supply lakes, recreational lakes and multi-purpose reservoirs similar to Jordan Lake,” said Steve Brown, Town of Cary Public Works & Utilities Director. “Providing better lake water through this innovative solution will reduce energy demands and chemical treatment requirements at our water treatment plant while improving the environment for Jordan Lake recreation enthusiasts as well as aquatic life in and around the water.”

With last night’s approval to move forward, the Town of Cary will ask the US Army Corps of Engineers to begin an environmental review of the proposal, including an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed water quality enhancement project; the purpose of the EA is to assess and consider any environmental impacts of the proposed project. This review process will likely start this fall and continue through 2012; assuming the project is approved, the aeration system could be installed in 2014.

“Public input is very important to us,” said Brown, “and the Corps’ review will ensure that information is available for review and comment and that interested citizens and groups can be involved.”

The total budget for the project is $1.75 million, funded by utility capital revenue sources. To learn more about the Jordan Lake Aeration System and to follow the project’s progress, search “Better Water Quality” at www.townofcary.org or call (919) 469-4090.

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PRIMARY CONTACTS: 
Steve Brown, Public Works & Utilities Director, (919) 469-4092
Sydney Miller, Water Resources Engineer, (919) 462-2066
Deanna Boone, Deputy Public Information Officer, (919) 462-3908
Susan Moran, Public Information Director, (919) 380-4240

RELATED LINKS:
Jordan Lake Aeration System