Safety Service Director Tanner Salyers told the Mount Vernon City Council during its Jan. 27 meeting that the city plans to remove 12,100 tons of lime sludge by the end of 2026 as part of its Drinking Water Treatment Material Management Plan.
According to a meeting video, Salyers explained that lime is used in water treatment processes for softening water. It facilitates the transformation of materials like calcium and magnesium into insoluble compounds that can be easily removed. Lime also helps counteract acidity, eliminates impurities such as heavy metals, and contributes to disinfection by reducing bacterial and viral presence.
"Overall, these applications lead to improved taste, lessened odor and clarity in drinking water, making lime a staple in municipal treatment plants for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness," Salyers said.
In the video, Salyers mentioned that the city treats approximately 3 million gallons of water daily. The water treatment process generates 2,000 tons of lime byproduct annually, which is stored in a lagoon across from the plant. A significant amount has been moved to a temporary storage site.
Salyers further noted that the temporary storage site at 1700 Old Delaware Road allowed for distributing lime sludge to farm fields. Removing it from lagoons enables more material collection through water treatment. In recent years, substantial amounts have been removed from this site, with an estimated 12,100 tons remaining for removal in 2026.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an order in September 2022 mandating specific removal timelines due to previous logistical hurdles faced by the city. The city has budgeted approximately $125,000 annually since 2023 for this purpose. The lack of a management plan previously led to overflows and excessive accumulation requiring EPA intervention. The new plan includes a 120% removal rate to prevent future issues by eliminating backlog in lagoons.
