Chinese delegation tours Washington Aqueduct as part of Corps' program

Washington Aqueduct
Published Dec. 12, 2012
Tom Jacobus, Washington Aqueduct general manager, demonstrates the properties of a dual media filter (on a scale model) prior to the group seeing the operational, large-scale filters in action.

Tom Jacobus, Washington Aqueduct general manager, demonstrates the properties of a dual media filter (on a scale model) prior to the group seeing the operational, large-scale filters in action.

Tom Jacobus answers a question from Mr. Xu during the facilities tour at the Aqueduct.

Tom Jacobus answers a question from Mr. Xu during the facilities tour at the Aqueduct.

The Chinese delegation of water resource professionals and scientists pose in the Dalecarlia Pumping Station during the Dec. 7 tour.

The Chinese delegation of water resource professionals and scientists pose in the Dalecarlia Pumping Station during the Dec. 7 tour.

A 20-member delegation of scientists and water professionals from the Peoples Republic of China received a presentation and tour on area water production methods during a Dec. 7 tour at Washington Aqueduct in northwest Washington, D.C.

Led by General Manager Tom Jacobus, the group from the Ministry of Water Resources was briefed on the methods Washington Aqueduct uses to treat raw source water from the Potomac River before it can be pumped into the distribution system to its wholesale customers in parts of Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. The visit provided them insight into the regional framework for enhancing and preserving water resources used to supply drinking water.

"I welcome the opportunity to meet with the delegation as it fostered engagement with colleagues in the water sector on water resource planning and other timely issues," Jacobus said.

The discussions included corporate governance, stakeholder communication and the importance of protecting, investing in and managing area water resources.

Following the presentation, the delegation toured the plant's expansive laboratory and saw all aspects of the water treatment process, including a scale model of a dual media water filter and real-time data system.

The Chinese delegation was led by Mr. Yiwen Wang and included representatives from industry groups and scientific organizations. Leaders from the Corps of Engineers included Maj. Christopher Berge, deputy commander for support operations, Baltimore District, and Ms. Catherine Shuman, a planner from the North Atlantic Division.

The Aqueduct tour is part of a broader cooperative program for the delegation. They will visit other Corps sites to foster the exchange of ideas around water resources development, construction and management of water conservation projects, water permitting policies and regulations, and water system rights. In addition to briefings at Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the delegation will gain more insight in presentations at Corps installations in California.