How is Water Treated?
Water Treatment
The Macon Water Authority is a surface water treatment system. This means we collect and treat raw surface water runoff from seasonal rain events to produce drinking water. Rainwater flows into the Ocmulgee River or the MWA’s raw water storage reservoirs – Javors Lucas Lake. It then undergoes treatment for production at the MWA Frank C. Amerson, Jr. Water Treatment Plant.
1 Coagulation
This initial stage in the treatment process separates particles in water by employing negative charges to repel other materials and keep them in suspension in the water. Positively charged chemicals (alum, in most cases) are then added to the water to destabilize the negative charges and allow the particles to accumulate. These particles are then removed through physical processes like sedimentation and filtration.
2 Flocculation
This is the second stage of water treatment, which involves gentle stirring to allow suspended particles to form larger clumps called “floc.” These clumps will more easily settle out for easier removal during the next phase(s) of treatment.
3 Sedimentation
The heavy particles (floc) will settle to the bottom of the basins, leaving the clear water to move on to filtration.
4 Filtration
The clear water passes through various filters consisting of layers of sand, gravel, charcoal, or other substances. Filtration helps remove even smaller particles from the water.
5 Disinfection
This is the final stage of the drinking water treatment process and requires a small amount of chlorine or a similar disinfection method to kill any bacteria or micro-organisms that may be in the water.
6 Storage
Following water treatment, finished drinking water is stored in a closed tank, either on the plant site (clear wells) or within the MWA’s distribution system (ground and elevated storage tanks) for eventual safe delivery to MWA customers