What is done to purify the water before it comes out of the tap?
Water that comes from rivers, lakes and streams goes through many steps of treatment and checkpoints before it is ready to drink. The water is screened to remove larger materials, run though very fine filters and then disinfected to kill germs. The water is checked throughout the system to make sure that it meets all regulations.
CCWD water comes from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and is treated at six different water treatment plants before being piped to customers. The plants use a process called conventional treatment to clean and disinfect the water. First, the larger materials, such as dirt, pebbles and debris are screened out or settled to the bottom. Then the water is mixed with treatment chemicals that cause the smaller particles to clump together and settle to the bottom. The water is then disinfected with ozone, chlorine or chloramines to kill any bacteria. The water then goes through sand and carbon filter beds leaving it clean and clear. The water is checked throughout the process and the distribution system to make sure that it meets all regulations.
