Here's How We Get Water in Our Homes
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You get thirsty so you go get a glass of water. You open the faucet and it pours right out refreshing you in an instant. But have you ever thought about how water gets to your faucet?
Drinking water comes from two places: surface water or groundwater. Approximately 64% of public water systems rely on surface water, such as water that comes from rivers, streams, and lakes.
The remaining 36% of freshwater comes from groundwater which originates in aquifers, “underground reservoirs” that develop when the rain and snow seep into the soil and rock.
From its original source water goes through several steps before it reaches peoples' homes. The first step of the process is called catchment, the second is the screening process, the third is coagulation and flocculation, and the fourth is a settling process called sedimentation.
Though not always common, the water may also go through the process of ozonation and may also have a chlorine compound added to kill any remaining parasites. Once all these steps have occurred the water undergoes a series of government-mandated tests to ensure that it is safe to drink.
Want to learn more about each of these important steps to ensure our drinking water is clean and safe? Watch our video.