Three Things You Should Know About Your Municipal Water Supply
Do you remember those hot summer days as a kid? We would play all day and then dash home to get a glass of water from the tap because of our thirst.
We never questioned what was in the water because we were kids; we only wanted to quench our thirst. However, as we’ve gotten older, we’ve taken more notice of the quality of water we drink.
Depending on your location, a municipal water supply could be the source of water your home relies on. But how much do you know about it?
Don’t worry; you’ve come to the right place. We’ll break down three things you should know about your local municipal water supply system.
Contents
1. Drinking Water Origins
Not many people know that our drinking water comes from two sources:
- Surface water
- Groundwater
Surface water comes from multiple places such as reservoirs, streams, and lakes. As the name suggests, groundwater collects in underground aquifers when it penetrates the soil from above.
The water is then filtered and transferred to your home through your local water system. However, if you’re still uneasy about your tap water, you can get reassurance by availing of an in-home water filter.
2. Water Testing and Treatment
You may think water getting collected from these natural sources is bound to have some drawbacks, right? It is unfiltered when it’s collected, meaning it will have some contaminants within.
Furthermore, there is extensive water testing and a four-step treatment process. These steps ensure all harmful bacteria are removed before getting to your home. They include:
- Coagulation and flocculation
- Sedimentation
- Filtration
- Disinfection
During coagulation and flocculation, chemicals get added to the water, binding the dirt and other particles into larger clusters. Next, throughout the sedimentation step, the groups are left alone to gather at the bottom of the tank.
Once the majority of the dirt clusters have formed, filtration follows. Although the contaminants may have bonded together in the first step, there still may be some undetected particles.
Finally, after filtration comes disinfection. Chemicals such as chlorine or chloramine get added to kill any remaining bacteria. It also helps protect the water supply as it travels to your home water system.
However, you should be aware this four-step treatment plan and water supply testing are only for a municipal water supply. If you have a private well, you’ll have to test your water on your own and ensure it’s safe to drink.
3. Water Safety Standards
As we’ve mentioned previously, water needs proper filtration because of its contaminants. Some of these include:
- Lead
- Dust
- Viruses
- Harmful bacteria
But you don’t need to worry about your next glass of tap water. The Safe Drinking Water Act ensures that all water suppliers meet a standard before distributing the contents to your home.
You Should Know More About Your Municipal Water Supply
You’re now aware of some of your municipal water supply processes with the information we provided. Water is essential for living, and we need to ensure we continue to take steps to keep our sources clean.
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