Operations: The Water Treatment Plant is licensed to operate under specific guidelines established by the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Florida. The plant is operated by Florida licensed Water Plant Operators.

Capacity: The Water Treatment Plant is capable of producing forty seven (47) million gallons of potable water per day (MGD.) City customers, on average, require approximately 29 MGD to meet their needs. Currently, the average person uses about 80 gallons of water per day.

 

 

WATER TREATMENT PROCESS

Water Source: The source of our City water is surface water. Surface water stems from reservoirs, lakes, rivers, streams, and springs as opposed to ground water that stems from underground aquifers.

All surface water and most ground water contains impurities. In addition to fertilizers and pesticides that enter the source with rainwater runoff, we expect decomposing leaves, plant material and other organic materials. Additionally, there are naturally occurring chemicals and metals that must be filtered out of the raw water source to make it attractive and drinkable.

Raw water is extracted from Clear Lake and pumped through bar screens that remove leaves, sticks, fish and large debris.

Coagulation: The first step in the treatment process is the introduction of coagulant chemicals that convert dissolved organic materials from the decomposition of plants and leaves into solids. We add Aluminum Ferric and Calcium Hydroxide (Lime) to condition the water. The reaction is instantaneous and occurs within the piping network of our intakes and feeds to the Flocculation and Sedimentation Basins.

Flocculation: This is a physical process in which the tiny pin head size particles created in the coagulation process are gently mixed. As they collide, they stick together forming larger and larger particles. Polymer, a substance that promotes a stickiness of the particles is added to further the flocculation process.

Sedimentation: The flocculation enlarged particles, now referred to as Floc, are transferred to the Sedimentation basins. The velocity of water flow in the basins is reduced which allows the Floc to gradually sink to the bottom of the basin. This process generally takes about two hours. Settled Floc, referred to as sludge, is drained off and pumped to Sludge Dewatering presses or drying beds where the water content evaporates. The remaining solid lime sludge is trucked off and is often used during road construction.

Filtration: When the water in the Sedimentation Basins is relatively free of Floc, (it having sunk to the bottom,) it is pumped to Filtration tanks consisting of Anthracite Coal, sand, and Garnet. The Filtration process ensures that any potentially harmful microorganisms and particulate matter are removed.

Backwash: The filters are backwashed once per shift or approximately every 16 hours to remove microorganisms and particulate matter captured during the filtering process. Residue is pumped to the recovery basin. Our filters have a service life of 10 years or more when properly maintained.

Disinfection: Chlorine is added as a purifying agent prior to and after the Filtration process. Additionally, a small amount of chlorine is injected into the water as it is pumped into our storage tanks which are referred to as Clear Wells. Federal drinking water regulations require that minimum disinfection standards be met at all times before the water can be delivered to the public. Holding the processed water in our Clear Wells provides sufficient time for final chlorine disinfection before the water is pumped to the customer for consumption.

Fluoridation Program: West Palm Beach City water is enriched with fluoride to help prevent the development of tooth decay. Customers voted to have this service provided in a referendum presented in 1991.

Operations and Maintenance: The Water Plant Chief Operator, assisted by a secretary, is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the plant, budgeting and long range planning. He supervises Water Operators licensed by the State of Florida.

The Maintenance Supervisor and three trained utility mechanics work to keep the plant functioning at peek performance.

One Instrument Technician assures computerized controls are functioning as intended. One Electrician manages the repair and installation of electrical systems and hardware at the Water Treatment Plant.