Peak Oil Task Force Report - City of Bloomington - State of Indiana

Water Treatment
Treatment of water from Lake Monroe includes rapid mixing, sedimentation, filtration, and
disinfection. The facility is connected to the Bloomington water distribution system by a
single 36‐inch transmission main that conveys treated water approximately seven to eight
miles from the plant to the City. In the event of a complete loss of electrical power, the City
can produce potable water at a rate of 12 million gallons per day provided that No. 2 diesel
fuel can be replaced in the tanks for the standby engine generators. As stated in a
commissioned evaluation of the City’s water supply, “Any interruption in service, either at
the water treatment plant, along the transmission main, or with any of the critical ancillary
water treatment facilities, for more than a few hours could result in a significant reduction
or total suspension of water service to CBU's customers.” 58
The City maintains two back‐up diesel generators: one at the Low Service Pump Station
(on the shore of Lake Monroe) and one at the Monroe Water Treatment Plant (about one
half mile the Lake). Each generator has a 1,000 gallon fuel tank. The engine of each is rated
to consume 57.8 gallons per hour under full load operating conditions. Therefore, 2,000
gallons of fuel would be consumed in 17.3 hours if both engine generators were operating
at full load conditions.
The City currently maintains seven active water storage tanks and is requesting an
additional tank. Under normal usage conditions, the seven active tanks provide
approximately eight hours of capacity. A combined liquid fuels shortage and protracted
grid failure would leave little buffer for City water users.
58 Black & Veatch, Water Supply Evaluation, ES‐4 (2007).
Report of the Bloomington Peak Oil Task Force
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