Mercury Contaminated Well Water Requires Pumping and Filtration System to Treat and Discharge at EPA Allowable Rate

Rain for Rent, Chicago received a call from an Illinois chemical plant looking for a method to remove mercury from well water.  A well at the plant, which provided process water, had become contaminated with mercury.  After many meetings, discussions and evaluating various options for the removal of the mercury, the chemical company decided to pump the contaminated water to one of their holding tanks, treat it, and then discharge it at the EPA allowable rate.

Dealing with the process water that was no longer provided by the well was the final problem.  Rain for Rent designed an alternative water supply system from a flooded quarry located behind the plant.  The quarry water was clean and the sediment levels were minimal.

 With the help of Rain for Rent's Engineering Department, a pumping and filtration system was designed and installed.  The system consisted of an HH-150 6-inch pump, 3,500 feet of 8-inch HDPE pipe, 2 road crossings, a 54-4 sand media filter, and numerous fittings, hoses and valves.  Provisions for over pressure and bypass were implemented to protect the system in the event that the plant fire suppression system was activated.

The chemical company's personnel were extremely satisfied with the ease and effectiveness of the water system's function.