Lexington New Water Treatment Plant

The City of Lexington’s existing water treatment plant (WTP) was located in downtown and was originally constructed in 1946 with major upgrades in 1978 and 2001. The existing WTP was aging and deteriorated to the point that some of the treatment equipment was obsolete and spare parts were no longer available.

Farnsworth Group was retained by the City to prepare a comprehensive planning study to evaluate alternatives for the rehabilitation or replacement of the WTP. Based on the results of this study, the City authorized Farnsworth Group to design, permit, and administer construction of the selected alternative for a new 500 gpm filtration and ion exchange softening plant with a new well #8. 

Due to high levels of color from organic tannins in the raw water, pilot testing was also performed as part of the design to identify the specific anion exchange resin to reduce these color causing organics in the finished water. 

Reducing these organics in the finished water helps to improve the taste and odor and reduces the amount of chlorine disinfectant required to maintain adequate chlorine residuals in the water system. This reduction in organics and chlorine usage also reduces the formation of chlorine disinfectant by-products, which are regulated by the IEPA. The project was funded through an IEPA State Revolving Loan.