Water Treatment Process
Clean drinking water fuels our entire community. That’s why OCWD has a comprehensive water treatment process in place to make sure our customers have access to quality water to support their everyday lives. Below is an overview of the treatment process which includes screen removal, rapid mix, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection.
Water Collection
Screening & Straining
Rapid Mix
Water is pumped from the Green River to the Treatment Plant. Initial Screening is completed to remove sticks, leaves, and debris.
The raw water intake screens filter out sticks, leaves, and other unwanted debris.
Aluminum chlorohydrate is added to the water as a coagulant to help small particles stick together so that they can be removed more easily.
Filtration
Water is gradually filtered through membrane filters to remove fine particles, bacteria, and microbes.
Afterward, Fluoride is introduced before the disinfection process, with the purpose of promoting the development of strong bones and teeth.
Sedimentation Basin
Flocculation
The water moves through the sedimentation basins at a slow pace, which allows large particles to settle to the bottom and be separated from the water.
Introducing coagulants into the water at a slow, regulated pace to facilitate the oxidation of organic matter.
Disinfection
Sodium hypochlorite, a disinfectant, is added to the water as it enters the clearwell. This step ensures that any bacteria, viruses, and other microbes present in the water are effectively eliminated.
Water Distribution
The high service pumps draw water from the clearwells and distribute it throughout the water distribution network.