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Water Department Operation & Mission StatementThe main goal of the City of St. Marys Water Department is to provide safe and reliable drinking water services to the citizens and businesses of St. Marys at competitive rates. Water supply, treatment, and delivery to the City of St. Marys and surrounding area is a vital function of the City of St. Marys. St. Marys citizens first addressed drinking water quality in the 1890s, when the first water supply facility was built. Today, our water treatment plant delivers the safest water possible to over 10,000 people. Well water pumped into the Water Treatment Plant goes through a complex, multistage treatment process that takes about twelve hours, producing a consistent supply of high quality drinking water. Laboratory test are performed routinely each day to control and ensure that each process is operating at peak levels. Two water towers with a combined capacity of 1,250,000 gallons store treated water for the system, controlling water pressure as well as providing fire protection. The water distribution system consists of approximately 72 miles of lines, 1,571 valves, and 530 fire hydrants. The system delivers drinking water to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the City of St. Marys and other areas bordering Grand Lake St. Marys. The City of St. Marys has established long range plans and goals that guide the improvements necessary to maintain drinking water quality and improve the reliability of services provided to consumers. These plans and goals are reviewed each year and adjusted as needed. Over the years, these plans have resulted in the regular replacement of essential equipment, the drilling of a new well to ensure a continued supply of water, construction of a second water tower, installation of major water line loops and interconnections that improve the flow of drinking water throughout the City, extending water services to new areas, and purchasing property for the time when a new treatment facility is needed. History of the City of St. Marys Water Department1895The original water plant was constructed as a part of the City's power generating facility. Four wells, located north of the present day Power Plant, could pump up to 300,000 gallons of well water each day. The wells flowed to a covered receiving well 38 feet in diameter and 28 feet deep. Untreated well water was pumped from the receiving well direct to the distribution system by two steam-powered pumps with a 750,000 gallons capacity each. The distribution system consisted of 12½ miles of water mains which served 75 percent of the population. There were 280 services provided. 1924In 1924, improvements included installation of a 1,000 gallon per minute fire pump and construction of a new well near Scott Street. 1939The Main Street water tower was placed into service, with a 500,000 gallon capacity. It is still in use today. 1942Chlorination equipment was installed at the Scott street well upon the recommendation of the Ohio Department of Health. A serious epidemic of dysentery was traced to contamination of the well. 1942St. Marys assumed operation and maintenance of the Villa Nova water system. 1943The Barrington Wellfield was developed when one well was drilled. Well 3 was abandoned in 2001. 1945A second well was drilled in the Barrington Wellfield, which allowed St. Marys to decommission the Scott Street well. Well 4 is still used today. 1947A new water treatment plant began operating at the site of the present facility. St. Marys attempted to build it as early as 1942, but, due to World War II, construction could not begin until 1946. The new plant had a 1,200,000 gallon daily capacity and included softening and filtration facilities. 1967 & 1968The Carl Jackson Wellfield was developed when Well 1 was drilled in 1967. Well 2 was drilled in 1968. 1970An addition at the treatment plant increased daily treatment capacity to 2,400,000 gallons. 1988Two 6½ acre lime sludge lagoons were built. 1988St. Marys extended water services to the Southmoor Shores and Otterbein developments on the south side of Grand Lake St. Marys. 1993The McKinley Road water tower was constructed. It has a capacity of 750,000 gallons. 1993The treatment plant laboratory was expanded and completely remodeled in order to meet new Ohio EPA laboratory requirements. All work was done in-house. 1994The original water tower received a complete rehabilitation. 1995Major and essential treatment equipment was replaced at the treatment plant. A standby emergency power generator was installed. 1998A third well was dilled in the Barrington Wellfield. Well 5 is our deepest well at 354 feet. 1998St. Marys extended water services north of Grand Lake St. Marys to serve the Nazarene Center and Sandy Beach. 2002 & 2006In 2002, St. Marys extended water services to Schroeder Road south of Grand Lake St. Marys to serve new development in the area. In 2006, the Harmon's Landing area was added. 2009For the first time, water services were extended north of U.S. Route 33, initially to serve the new High/Middle School complex, but sized to serve a much larger area. 2010St. Marys extended water services to the Breezewood development south of Grand Lake St. Marys |
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Last modified: 03/30/10 |
