Page 54 - Demo

52A Water Treatment PlantFor a time, our drinking water came from this yellowbrick building. But Bloomington%u2019s Lake Griffy Wa,ter Purification Plant had been locked-up and closeddown for a more than a decade by the time John and I decided to explore what lay within its walls. %u201cWait here until I go in and turn off the alarm system,%u201d John Langley, Deputy Director of Utilities, kindly warned, %u201cWe%u2019ve had so many vandals around here%u2026%u201d Immediately, we descended down into the lowest level, where John began photographing massive iron pipes and valves. By turning large, hand-operated wheels, the staff once manually orchestrated when, where, and how much water went through the various conduits. Next, we peered into a series of concrete sedimentation tanks. Here, suspended particulate matter (dirt, debris, etc.) sank to the bottom, while the clear water at the top was skimmed off. Other procedures were still required though%u2014including a chlorination treatment to kill any pathogens present (such as diseasecausing bacteria, fungi, etc.) before the water left the plant. %u201cMaking sure the water%u2019s safe to drink is what we constantly think about,%u201d our host remarked, in a serious tone.As our trek continued, we passed small panels of chrome-plated switches, and glass-less gauges with missing needles. Reminders again, that this was a hands-on operation%u2014no computers, no touch screens, no flashing electronic lights here. And, whenever we came across giant pipes, heavy-duty bolts held their massive end flanges tightly together. The whole place was like that%u2014constructed when men were expected to be masters of buildings designed to be in use forever. But, since its opening in the early 1920s, changes in technology, a new water source, and rapid population growth, eventually made the Griffy facility obsolete. Today, Bloomington gets its drinking water from a larger, more modern, c o m p u t e r i z e d treatment plant on Lake Monroe. As we moved into the 1960%u2019s addition at the rear of the plant, we learned the entire facility had been decommissioned back in 1996. %u201cIt%u2019s not mothballed,%u201d John said, %u201cit%u2019s closed for good. It would be way too costly to upgrade. But, you know, it%u2019ll probably still be standing here for years%u2014it%u2019s just too expensive to bulldoze all these tons of concrete.%u201dSuddenly we came upon vibrant, graffitied walls. Pointing to one, John told us, %u201cThat%u2019s why we have the alarm system%u2014to keep the kids out%u2014but I do like some of their painting.%u201d As he spoke, a small flock of panicking birds flew in tight circles overhead. Below our feet, the asphalt-tiled floor was white with their droppings.Before we left, we strode past a desk where an enterprising thief sold ripped-out copper wiring. Then we made our way into John%u2019s former office, for which he expressed little nostalgia. It seems that he, like all those who had worked here for generations, had moved on. In a nearby shower stall, a soapless soap dish cradled an empty bird%u2019s nest. Lake Griffy Water Treatment Plant, c.1920%u2014Bloomington, Monroe Co. (959.07)