The Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities (BOPU) operates the water and wastewater systems for the capital of Wyoming which has a population of more than 63,000. Located in the fast-growing Front Range Urban Corridor, BOPU is challenged by growth, periodic water scarcity and aging infrastructure.
During high demand, Cheyenne disinfects approximately 2 million gallons from well fields at an off‐site location from the water treatment plant. This off‐site location used a calcium hypochlorite disinfection process that required frequent, recurring maintenance. To reduce costs, the BOPU investigated alternative methods for disinfection.
BOPU staff eliminated chlorine gas and bulk commercial bleach (12% concentration) disinfection processes due to safety concerns and determined that an on‐site sodium hypochlorite generation system (OSHG) as the best option for reducing maintenance. The BOPU ultimately selected the Microclor® OSHG system manufactured by Cleanwater1 as the system that met their needs by generating the disinfectant with only water, salt and electricity. The Microclor® OSHG system also allayed concerns of hydrogen accumulation because it is the only system with vertical electrolytic cells that vent hydrogen passively away from the generation area.