Safe, clean tap water for drinking and washing is one of the most valuable assets we have. If you’ve ever wondered where your water comes from, we explain how water treatment works and why water filtration is such an important part of the process.
Filtration in water treatment is a layered process that removes sediment and contaminants from water before it is disinfected and then piped to your home. Most water treatment plants use a treatment system similar to the one outlined below.
What is the Purpose of Filtration in Water Treatment?
Did you know that water has endless benefits beyond keeping you hydrated? From skin health to digestion, water benefits your body in numerous ways.
The EPA has a list of 90 contaminants that they regulate in drinking water. Water filtration removes these dangerous or even fatal contaminants so that you and the public at large gain all the benefits of clean water without getting sick. Before water is safe to be piped to homes and businesses, it travels through a carefully regulated process that includes several levels of filtration.
How Do Water Treatment Plants Work?
Here is a synopsis of how the water treatment process works at most municipal water treatment plants.
Coagulation and Flocculation. The filtration process begins in a holding tank. Chemicals with a positive ion charge are added to the water. These chemicals attach to negatively charged particles like dirt to form a new, heavier particle called floc.
Sedimentation. These larger floc particles sink to the bottom of the tank and out of the way. The remaining clear water on top is ready to be transferred to the next phase.
Filtration. The water is then pumped through a series of filters with diminishing pore size. Each pass removes more and more of the dissolved particles remaining in the water. The filters are comprised of grit like gravel, sand and eventually charcoal. These filters are powerful and remove harmful elements that include:
- Dust
- Parasites
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Chemicals
Disinfection. Once the water has been sufficiently filtered, it is disinfected. During this final phase of purification, chemicals like chlorine or ammonia are added to the water to kill any remaining bacteria, parasites or viruses. It also protects the water as it travels through the underground pipe network to your home. UV light can also be used to disinfect water but is not as common.
Sometimes, water treatment plants add a de-chlorination step after the disinfection phase to reduce the amount of chlorine in public water.
If My Water Is Already Treated, Do I Need a Home Water Filter?
Dallas water was rated “superior” in its 2020 Water Quality Report. By all accounts, your water is absolutely safe to drink. But circumstances do arise now and then that shake public confidence in the water utility companies.
The winter storms of 2021 saw over a million of Texans without drinking water in their homes. In Plano Texas in 2018, a municipal water plant flushing procedure left many wondering about the taste and safety of their water. These are rare and extreme circumstances, but they highlight the possibilities we all face.
A home water filter adds an extra level of comfort and assurance that the water your family drinks is 100% safe. By hardwiring a filtration system into your home’s plumbing, you can be certain that every drop of water that your family uses is as clean and safe as possible. Your water filter will remove excess chemicals from the treatment process and ensure that it is safe if the water treatment plant ever fails. If you have any reservations about what goes into your water, a filter can bring peace of mind.
Your Dallas Area Clean Water Experts
At Benjamin Franklin, your local Dallas punctual plumber, we’ve made safe water our primary business. Whether it’s installing a water filtration system in your home or replacing old corroded pipes, we want to make sure that you have the best water to drink traveling through your plumbing. Call or contact us today to learn more.
