Posted on November 11, 2008 - by Editor

Water Treatment Plant Utilizes Trees To Aid Environment

The Blackhawk on the River water treatment facility passed its annual inspection from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality in October validating its efforts to maintain an environmentally friendly alternative for community utilities. “With city water and sewer service rates on the rise, we are proud to provide a reliable service to our owners free from the rate fluctuations many residents of Valley and Adams Counties are seeing,” said Sima Muroff, CEO of Blackhawk on the River.

In addition to the approval, the DEQ is working with Blackhawk and West Mountain Water and Sewer to solidify another 5-year permit which would allow for research of new green construction techniques to utilize in an expansion of the facility if additional hook-ups are needed in the future.

The water treatment facility at Blackhawk on the River was designed with the goal of limiting the impact on the environment while providing a reliable service to homeowners at Blackhawk. Lance Daniels of West Mountain Water and Sewer Inc. explains that that this facility utilizes a “tree farm” concept that enables water from the treatment center to be put to beneficial use.

Waste water contains high levels of nitrates and phosphates that if released into the environment can cause algae and other plant growth to generate which ultimately can increase natural water temperatures and negatively impact habitat for fish and other wildlife. To ensure nitrates and phosphates are extracted from the water, young pine trees have been planted to filter out these contaminants. In the establishment phase of its growth cycle, young pine trees extract nutrients from the ground water at a high rate and in turn, aid in cleansing the water so it does not negatively impact the environment.

Trees will be harvested every two to five years and replaced by new young trees to ensure a consistent level of nitrate and phosphate extraction from the water. Harvested trees will then be reclaimed for landscaping and transplanted around the Blackhawk community.

“This is yet another example of the stewardship principles utilized at the Blackhawk Community,” says Muroff. “We are choosing to reevaluate our treatment options and working with West Mountain Water and Sewer Inc. for future expansion and researching hydrogen and sustainable clean water technologies.”