JASPER — The Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners are trying to find a way to reduce disinfectant by-products at the Interstate 75 and State Road water plant.

Following a meeting with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the county has two phases to correct the issue. 

According to County Coordinator Louie Goodin, if the first phase is successful, the second phase won’t be necessary.

The county will use hydrogen peroxide as the disinfectant and use sodium permanganate as treatment instead of chlorine.

According to Goodin, this will cost the county approximately $10,000. 

The second phase will involve the county purchasing a new water filtration media for one of the water tanks.

Goodin said this could cost up to $100,000.

Commissioner Josh Smith said the county needed to find another well because the phases are just short-term solutions.

According to County Engineer Greg Bailey, test wells would have to be done first and that could cost up to $50,000.

That does not include the cost of digging a production well.