City Water Treatment Plant Process: With municipal water, the water comes from a “treatment” plant. Here, your water undergoes the following processes:
-Coagulation: ALUMINUM SULFATES are added to the water to neutralize suspended solids.
-Flocculation: Water is gently mixed allowing the aluminum sulfates to gel and stick the neutralized suspended particles together.
-Sedimentation: The heavy particles that have clumped together settle to the bottom and form a sludge, which will be removed.
-Filtration: Removes any remaining particles.
-Disinfection: Chemical disinfectants like CHLORINE (BLEACH) or Chloramine (BLEACH bonded with AMMONIA) are added to kill bacteria and viruses in the water. The use of disinfectants may result in the formation of DBPs (Disinfectant Byproducts) like THMs (Trihalomethanes), which can be very harmful.
-Final Adjustments: Many municipalities will add FLUORIDE to your drinking water to help prevent tooth decay (this deserves a whole post unto itself). In some cases where necessary, they can adjust the pH of water as well to protect the pipes.
This doesn’t mention the other impurities found in your water. To learn more about what’s in your water and how AquaCheck can help, visit our website or give us a call for your free consultation & water test!