Salem, Ore. — Preparations the City of Salem put in place in 2018 shielded the region's water supply against algal blooms this season in the North Santiam watershed.  

“The concentrated planning, monitoring, and additional treatment steps we’ve taken have been highly effective this algal bloom season,” said Salem City Manager Steve Powers. “I am proud of City staff in our Public Works Department and the Geren Island Treatment Facility.”  

The City’s long-term solution for combatting yearly algae blooms is adding ozone to our treatment process. Ozone is one of the strongest purifiers used to treat drinking water. It produces no taste or odor, and it does not stay in the water after treatment. Ozone treatment is commonly used across the country and throughout the region including Lake Oswego, Tigard, Medford, and Wilsonville. Ozone is also being planned for all modern treatment facilities currently under construction in the region.  

Salem’s state-of-the-art ozone treatment system is currently under construction at the Geren Island Water Treatment Plant and is anticipated to be ready for the Salem community in May 2021. Slayden Construction of Stayton is handling the construction, providing jobs that benefit our local economy.  

For construction updates or more information about Salem’s drinking water, community members can visit the City’s website or contact the City of Salem at service@cityofsalem.net  

###