Cater Water Treatment Plant Opens Ozonation Building

The work is finally done for a water treatment plant serving three cities.

There are new federal drinking water regulations, which meant the Cater Water Treatment Plant needed some upgrades.

Now that it is done, the level of byproducts are lowered, which also reduces possible health risks.

The new ozonation building at the treatment plant allows chlorine to be removed in the first stage of water being cleaned.

“We have replaced that with the ozone that you see behind me, which will help, in turn, create better water,” said Andrew Rhodes, the water treatment supervisor.

The ozone kills algae, bacteria and fungus — all the stuff you want out of the water before you drink it.

It took two years for the project construction to be completed.

“It’s been a long time coming. It’s a very important day for us, in terms of making sure that we continue to treat water that meets all of the very strict EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards for water quality,” said Rebecca Bjork, the water resources manager.

Now that it is up and running, water flowing through the plant will make it to residents’ homes.

The project cost $23 million and is being paid for by Carpinteria, Montecito and Santa Barbara cities who use the treatment plant.