CLINTON — On Monday, the city council placed on file for public viewing a contract to rebuild the CO₂ system at the water plant.  Commissioner John Wise explained the plan.

The city recently had emergency repairs performed on the water plant’s CO₂ system, Wise said.

“Because the heater, and a few other things, started going out on it.”

Wise pointed out the water plant is now 20 years old, so some components have been in service for a long time.

“The CO₂ tank is a key ingredient of the entire process,” Wise said.  “And, the box that controls a lot is starting to rot away.”

He said upgrades were necessary, including the heater, at a cost of about $4,000.  Wise said two technicians would be on-site who would purge the system and “revamp the entire vessel.”

The system also will receive new controls, controllers and computer interface.

“Yeah, I know it’s a lot of money,” Wise said.  “But, if we had to go out and replace the entire thing, it would be a lot more than that.  I just wanted to explain why, and what they were doing.”

The cost through Signature CO₂ Services, Inc. would be $14,815.61.

Wise said various valves and other components already were replaced.

“We do keep upgrading and fixing things that we need to,” Wise said.  “And, upgrading things as they come in that will work a little better on that system.”

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is used in municipal water treatment plants as part of their pH management system.

• See the complete story in the Friday, Jan. 7, print edition of the Clinton Journal or now in the Journal E-Edition for subscribers.