w eu n eb u ay , o c p ic m u c i j , ^uui 1111- W/AIN. V1L-L-L ULi/\V c,tv. Treated water undergoes constant testing (Continued from page 1) Department, is responsible for the delivery of more than 14 billion gallons of water each year to schools, businesses, industrial facilities and more than 300,000 · residents. Approximately 60% of the water is used by residential cus tomers, the remaining 40% to busi ness and industry. First, however, every glass and sinkful of- water must undergo a stringent process to maximize safety. Halton's multi-barrier approach to water purification actually begins 3,000 feet out in Lake Ontario off the foot of Kerr Street and 35 feet down where water is drawn into the system at the Oakville Purification Plant. The double-whammy of increased- demand coupled .with low lake levels, which Halton experienced this summer, can prove problematic even at this ini tial stage of the process. Customers want more water, but the volume that can be drawn in is hampered by a decreased "operating head" over the intake duct. The water that is drawn in, however, is immediately screened of large objects such as logs, fish, zebra mussels and plant material then pumped into the treatment plant. Chlorine, aluminum sulphate (alum) and/or polymers are then added to kill germs, improve the taste and odour and to help settle those solids still present in the water. The alum and other addi tives cling to these substances in a process called coagulation which causes the particles to adhere together to form larger particles called floe. Heavy rainfall forces sediment down the 16 Mile Creek and into the lake in a large plume. Rather than extend the intake pipe even further offshore, officials decided to use sedimentation tanks instead. 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In the sedimentation stage, (Halton's Water Quality water and floe flow into basins Laboratory is located at the where the particulate settles to the Oakville Purification Plant.) bottom and is removed. In total, the Region conducts in The water then flows through excess of 4,500 bacteriological filters made of layered sand and tests each year plus thousands gravel, which remove any remain more other water quality tests. Any ing particles. health concerns must be immedi Chlorine or other disinfecting ately brought to the Ministry of chemicals are added to kill any Health's attention. remaining germs and to maintain For the final stage in the the water's safety for when it is process the water is placed in a pumped out to the public. closed tank, called a clear well, to Sometimes "super-chlorina allow time for the chlorine to per tion" is necessary to modify the mit thorough disinfection. The taste and odour of water, which is water is then transported to cus later dechlorinated using sulfur tomers throughout the system. dioxide. To obtain a free water quality The water is constantly sam report, download it from the pled and tested based on the vol Halton Region website at ume of flow for a host of organics, www.region.halton.on.ca; pick up such as coliforms and E. coli, and a copy from Planning and Public a comprehensive list of other sub Works at regional headquarters, stances. 1151 Bronte Rd.; order by phone Halton is one of a handful of at 905-825-6032. The website municipalities that employs a dual offers a variety of information testing system whereby the about local water quality, includ Regional Health Department inde ing links to the provincial stan pendently samples and tests over dards. DANCE STUDIOS® www.fredastaire.com C a lif o r n ia w Shu iH UNLIMITED INC. MANUFACTURING & SALES 1254 Plains Road East, Burlington, Ont. 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