New federal drinking water standards could require the Poughkeepsie water plant to make $16 million in upgrades. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is requiring municipal water plants to do more to restrict disinfectant byproducts (DBP) in drinking water that could pose health hazards.
Poughkeepsies’ Water Treatment Facility is looking at injecting ozone into the drinking water for treatment. Ozone is used by other municipalities for control of disinfection byproducts. Chlorine in the water reacts with organics to form the DBP, which are potential carcinogens. Using ozone as the primary disinfectant signifincatly reduces the amount of chlorine used and thus reduces the formation of the DBP.
Other methods would cost more. The plant which provides water for the town and city of Poughkeepsie is seeking help in making the project as affordable as possible. Federal and state assistance with borrowing the money would help. Expanding the customer base of the plant, including interesting a major company or two to locate in Poughkeepsie, would also help in making the upgrade more affordable. The plant treats 9 million gallons of Hudson River a day, but has a capacity to treat 19.3 million.