{"id":187151,"date":"2018-09-26T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2018-09-26T04:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/187151\/taking-a-walk-through-the-water-purification-process\/"},"modified":"2018-09-28T13:21:51","modified_gmt":"2018-09-28T11:21:51","slug":"taking-a-walk-through-the-water-purification-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/09\/26\/taking-a-walk-through-the-water-purification-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking a walk through the water purification process"},"content":{"rendered":"

The metro and Rand Water collaborated in giving Caxton journalists a tour of their Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant last Friday.<\/p>\n

The plant is the biggest of two water treatment plants within the water utility company responsible for 70 per cent of the total capacity of Rand Water.<\/p>

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The tour was led by Yvonne Rakobane, a process quality manager at Rand Water.<\/p>\n

Before you can quench your thirst with a tall glass of water straight from your tap, Rand Water needs to ensure the quality of the water is good for consumption by undergoing a purification process.<\/p>

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The screening metals blocking living organisms, sticks and other particles in the screening phase before purification of the water.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rand Water extracts water from the Vaal Dam and it then goes through screening.<\/p>\n

During the screening process, water passes through and sticks, fish, leaves and other particles are blocked.<\/p>\n

The water then flows into the buffer dam, proceeding into the filtration process.<\/p>\n

The filtration process consists of seven phases, namely, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, carbonation, filtration, chlorination and pumping.<\/p>\n

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Water in the buffer dam ready to flow into the first phase of the purification process.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Coagulation:<\/strong><\/p>\n

In this phase, water is mixed with raw limestone in the poly dosing plant. This is done to destroy bacteria or algae in order to stabilise the water, separating it from germs.<\/p>\n

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The mixing of raw limestone and water.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Flocculation:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The particles which coagulated in phase one are now visible and cling onto one another, forming floc. The floc remains on top of the water which now moves at a high velocity in the spiral flocculates.<\/p>\n

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Spiral flocculates where floc gathers and water passes through at high speed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sedimentation:<\/strong><\/p>\n

As the water flows into the sedimentation bay, the floc settles at the bottom of the bay and is referred to as sludge.<\/p>\n

The water at the top is clean and ready to flow into the carbonation bay.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the sludge is pumped out by desludging bridges.<\/p>\n

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The sedimentation phase, with water on top of the tank ready to flow into the carbonation bay and floc that is now sludge is at the bottom of the tank.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Carbonation:<\/strong><\/p>\n

When the water reaches the carbonation bay, carbon dioxide is added to stabilise the pH levels as they were raised in the first phase when raw limestone was used as a coagulant.<\/p>\n

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The carbonation bay where carbon dioxide is added to the water.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Filtration:<\/strong><\/p>\n

This phase is conducted in a dark filter house to prevent algae from growing.<\/p>\n

Although the water has been stabilised it may still contain germs or algae, which is why it has to pass through pebbles and sand filters that will trap small living organisms.<\/p>\n

This phase also includes the backwash method which cleanses the water thoroughly before the disinfection phase.<\/p>\n

The process could take from 36 to 72 hours.<\/p>\n

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The filtration phase takes place in a dark bay to limit the growth of algae.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chlorination:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chlorine is used to disinfect the water, killing germs which may still live in the water. In the odd chance that chlorine cannot be accessed or there is a chlorine leak, HTH is used as a substitute disinfectant.<\/p>\n

This stage is vital because it ensures minimal bacteria grows in the water as it travels to pumping stations.<\/p>\n

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The HTH plant, where HTH is sourced in the event that chlorine cannot be used to disinfect water from the filtration phase.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pumping:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The final product is pumped to four boosting stations, namely Eikenhof, Zwartkopjes, Palmiet and Mapleton.<\/p>\n

According to Smuts Marais, a water quality manager from the metro, once the water leaves Rand Water\u2019s reservoirs and is in the metro\u2019s reservoirs, they are required to take two samples of water a month for testing, to ensure the water quality complies with the set standards.<\/p>\n

The metro also revealed a large number of consumers are unaware of the process Rand Water undertakes to ensure they are providing quality drinking water, which is why they still assume every worm or insect they find in their glasses of water come straight from the reservoirs.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn most cases, we find insects had laid eggs in the mouths of the taps or the overflow of the basin and consumers had rushed to lodge a complaint with the metro or Rand Water,\u201d said Elsie van Staden, a water quality technician from the metro.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough there is currently no indication of water restrictions being implemented this year, we still urge consumers to be mindful of their water usage,\u201d said Lebogang Ramasha of the communications department.<\/p>\n

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Water Saving Tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Take shorter showers. Make it fun, time yourself by playing your favourite song and hop out when it ends.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Use a tumbler when brushing your teeth.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Next time you wash your car, ditch the hosepipe and fill up a bucket instead.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Practice reuse. Water the lawn with water discarded from the washing machine or use it to wash your car.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Monitor your flushing habits.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Use as little water as possible, try using 25 litres of water a day for your cooking, cleaning, bathing, flushing and drinking needs.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Water treatment myths busted<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Geosmin found in Ekurhuleni water not harmful<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n

Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n

Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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