Buffalo Water announces significant step forward in fluoride restoration

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The City of Buffalo is making another significant step forward toward restoring fluoride in the drinking water.

The Buffalo Water Authority, along with representatives from Veolia and Hazen and Sawyer on Thursday, initiated operations to install equipment necessary for the fluoridation process near the filtration plant at the Colonel Ward Pumping Station.

A professional diver from Allen Marine arrived at the plant early Thursday morning to engage in a disinfecting procedure, along with a collection of necessary equipment and tools in preparation for the dive.

Following the required disinfection, the diver submerged into a flooded manhole to install a flow meter into the 90-inch treated water conduit. This portion of construction required a professional diver to go underwater to anchor and install the flow meter.

The flow meter will measure the treated water flow rates, and help determine the proper amount of added fluoride during treatment.

"Installing a flow meter into the 90-inch conduit is a significant step forward in construction for new system upgrades at Buffalo Water’s filtration plant," said Buffalo Water Chairman OJ McFoy on Thursday. "We are grateful for our partnerships with local marine experts who understand the importance of this portion of construction and can use their diving skills to assist. This project has been an all-hands-on-deck mission so Buffalo Water can meet the end-of-summer deadline."

Buffalo Water is progressing in the ongoing installation of electrical equipment, conduit, and wire to various equipment and panels, while still updating system programs to monitor and control the new equipment.

Since obtaining state approval to proceed with new system upgrades earlier this year, Buffalo Water has collaborated with city, county, and state regulators, consultants, contractors, and vendors to complete construction successfully and on time.

This month, Buffalo Water will finalize tie-ins to the fluoride analyzer and metering pumps, complete system programming, and conduct initial piping leakage and pressure testing. Additional work will continue in August.

Buffalo Water is on schedule to complete new system improvements and restore fluoride by the end of summer.