• The East Lansing-Meridian Water & Sewer Authority

EAST LANSING - On Saturday August 16th residents had a chance to peek inside the East Lansing Meridian Water and Sewer Authority Water Treatment Plant and see how their water becomes clean and drinkable. The event included a tour of the treatment plant, and concessions as well as a steam engine hayride and a clown.

Plant manager Clyde Dugan was on hand teaching visitors about the plant. Dugan explained that untreated hard water in the area makes it difficult to create adequate soap suds, is hard on laundry and can give hair a sticky feeling after washing. This occurs because of the high concentration of calcium and magnesium salts in the local ground water.

In the 1970's the city of East Lansing and the Township of Meridian created a water treatment plant in order to address the issues hard water created by softening residents drinking water. To do this, plant operators raise the natural pH level of the water by adding lime which separates the hardness from the water.

Dugan feels it is important for the public to learn where their water comes from and the processes it goes through on it's way to their drinking glass.

"...it gives the community a chance to come in, see what it is we do, see what kind of care is taken in providing not only fresh drinking water but always safe [water]".

Dugan notes that there are many tests the water goes through regularly as well as periodic testing of other contaminants station that at the plant they "continually test for bacteriological safety of the water as well as the chemical concentrations in the water." Making sure they do all they can do ensure the cleanliness, softness, and purity of the Meridian Township and East Lansing drinking water.

Dugan also stresses the importance of protecting the quality of local drinking water. He says that although they draw water from wells that are hundreds of feet deep, water ultimately recharges from rain water on the surface.

Not using excess chemicals, putting oil in catch basins, and flushing pharmaceutical products down the toilet are a few ways in which Dugan suggests residents can aid in less local water pollution.

He adds that less pollution in ground water means safer water and cheaper water for residents because any contaminant that gets into the water he and his team must take out.