For the first time since the Water Treatment Plant began operations in 1983, the laboratory will receive its first major overhaul. The lab upgrade is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026 and is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2026.
While the lab has served the Plant well, the continually growing number of employees, gallons of water treated, and daily analyses, shows how much this upgrade is needed.
At the time of its opening, the Plant’s treatment capacity was 12 million gallons of water daily. Now, its capacity has almost tripled to 32 million gallons a day.
Tyler Haslip, Water Resources Engineer, says that the number of analyses required to be completed daily has increased from 10 to 150. This increase as well as the increase in Plant capacity has also resulted in an increase in lab staff. From having only one employee when the lab opened, the staff has now grown to seven employees.
“With all of this in mind, this upgrade is designed to accommodate the demands in sampling, testing, and report requirements as well as improving the overall layout of the lab to create a more efficient workflow,” said Tyler.
Construction to accommodate these changes includes removing two walls to improve the workflow; relocating the operator lab area; installing new cabinets, countertops, exhaust hood, and epoxy flooring; putting in new fixtures and sample sinks; and upgrading electrical, heating, air conditioning, and plumbing systems.
Chad Flannagan, WTP Lab Manager, said he and the lab staff are happy about the upgrade. He said, “it has been a long time coming and has been needed for many years.”
He also noted that as our industrial community grows, certain customers may have different water quality standards that need to be met. The upgrade project will allow for future expansion of the lab’s capabilities to sustain these water quality and data needs.
The GUC board unanimously approved the $1.16 million capital improvement project bid from American Builders Incorporated in July 2025.
