Alcoa approves water purification system upgrades

Alcoa City Commissioners unanimously approved the replacement of an essential water purification machine at the city’s water treatment plant. The city will purchase a $500,000 Microclor hypochlorite generation system to purify drinking water, replacing an old system that is nearing the end of its lifespan. The need to replace too many parts on the old system has complicated attempts to repair and upgrade it. The new system allows for easier maintenance and will have five cells generating necessary chemicals for water treatment, allowing back-up cells to take over if one is no longer working. The previous system only had one cell. The new system is more energy-efficient and allows staff to vary production rates based on need.