Wheeling Water Department -- Water Quality

Water Quality - Treatment

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits of contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for Public health. The Ohio River is typically a safe and reliable water supply. However, as is the case with any large body of water in an industrialized area, it is vulnerable to contamination.
This requires a very diligent monitoring program and a sophisticated treatment facility to ensure that the water meets all state and federal health and safety regulations.
As the water quality of the Ohio River improves, it brings additional treatment problems, such as large quantities of algae and prolific growth of zebra mussels which can plug intakes and foul treatment systems. These new problems have created additional expenses to meet the increasingly stringent requirements set by the EPA and ensure the quality of water our customers have come to expect.

	The Wheeling Water Plant treats approximately 7.5 million gallons of water per day and distributes this water through 200 miles of water mains, some of which are over 100-years-old. The maintenance and upgrade of this diversified system is reflected in periodic rate increases.

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