Mulberry Well's Water Treatment System

To ensure the TCE plume in Camdenton remains contained and does not spread to other city or private wells, the city of Camdenton has constructed a simple, effective way to treat TCE from groundwater at the site, while seeking a permanent solution. Water is discharged by the Mulberry Well pump and exits through a PVC pipe that is punctured with tiny holes.  The pipe is contained in a plastic culvert. As shown in the photo on the left, water sprays in many directions from the pipe. Water spraying from the pipe adds air (aeration), which helps to evaporate the TCE.

 

The aerated water then exits through a series of plastic troughs lined with rocks, which continues aeration of the water. As the water flows downhill, it flows around and over rocks and ridges, and runs off each trough to the next. All of this adds air to help evaporate TCE. The amount of TCE in the air is very small and diluted, and is no longer a health concern.

 

Routine testing continues to show that TCE remains below the permitted level prior to discharge from the treatment system into the stream. The city of Camdenton is currently investigating groundwater in the vicinity of the Mulberry Well to gain a better understanding of the extent and depth at which the contamination is occurring. This would allow the city and the department to determine the best permanent treatment method to address the TCE contamination, and keep it from spreading to other private or public drinking water wells in the area.

**MULBERRY WELL TEST RESULTS ARE FOR WATER THAT IS DISCHARGED TO WASTE. MULBERRY WELL WATER IS NOT CONSUMED BY THE PUBLIC AND IS NOT USED FOR DRINKING WATER.