WESTFIELD-Westfield Technical Academy senior Megan Salvini came to an open house on Saturday, sponsored by the City of Westfield DPW – Water Division, to see where her drinking water originates.
Peter McLaughlin, head treatment plant operator at the Reservoir Avenue plant in Southwick, of the Westfield Water Resources Department, explains the Trident system’s four units including the waste gate as part of a tour on Saturday.
“The entire water process fascinates me,” said Salvini. “I wanted to see where our water comes from since having a safe water supply is important.”
Ted and Sandra Pennas were at the open house when it started for a different reason.
“I grew up by the filter heads as a kid,” said Ted Pennas. “In the 60’s we would sneak into the reservoir, just to get a glimpse of the process.”
As tours were conducted throughout the day, Fran Cain, assistant director of public works, noted the Granville Reservoir and its associated watershed contributes more than 50 percent of the city’s daily water needs. As part of the open house, buses took area residents on a tour of the Granville Reservoir.
“Everyone who participated in the tours enjoyed it,” said Cain. “City residents said they didn’t realize the extent of the process behind the scenes.”
Tours were led by Cain, as well as Peter McLaughlin, head treatment plant operator, and Rob Hartman, treatment plant operator. Tours included the treatment plant at 25 Reservoir Ave. in Southwick, which featured a close-up look at the Trident system and its mixed media filtration and absorption clarifier systems.
Peter McLaughlin of the Westfield Water Resources Department explains the backwash supply process of the Trident system to area residents who attended the Saturday open house. McLaughlin serves as head treatment plant operator at the Reservoir Avenue plant in Southwick.
Displays throughout the facility ranged from the destruction of Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 and the drainage and spillway repairs that were needed, to field analysis instruments used by water officials when testing water. Ten employees of the Water Resources Department were on hand throughout the event to answer questions and hand out literature on the city’s water resources.
As part of the festivities, a special plaque and presentation was made to water systems engineer Charles “Woody” Darling who is retiring this summer after more than 25 years of service.
“While recognizing all of the treatment plant upgrades we have made in recent years, we also wanted to recognize Woody for his dedicated service ensuring that the city has had safe drinking water,” said Cain.
The event, which was attended by more than 75 city residents, was conducted in conjunction with National Drinking Water Week. In addition to a host of refreshments that were served, donated by Tighe & Bond and Pepsi Co., promotional items for visitors to take home were donated by Tata & Howard, Dig Safe, Kingsley Power Systems, Mueller Hydrant and EJ Prescott.
