Public's Role in Keeping Drinking Water Safe

by Jonna Jackson and Rachael Herpel,
The Groundwater Foundation

Clean drinking water is often taken for granted. You turn on the tap and out it comes.

What many don't consider is the treatment process it goes through before it is used and the role we play in that process.
In Lincoln and many other communities throughout the nation, water used for domestic needs is treated before it comes out of the tap. The source of Lincoln's drinking water is well fields near Ashland.

Eric Lee, utilities laboratory supervisor for the Lincoln Water System said the groundwater used as the source of Lincoln's drinking water goes through a thorough treatment process to remove iron and manganese before city residents use it. These elements can cause laundry and plumbing fixtures to discolor and stain and so must be removed.

Chlorine or ozone is added to disinfect the water and oxidize the iron and manganese to small particles that are filtered out. After filtration a small amount of ammonia is added to form a residual disinfectant called chloramines. A small amount of fluoride is also added to the water before it leaves the treatment plant.

Communities using surface water, such as from rivers or streams, generally need to put their water through a more complex treatment process to remove solids and other debris.

Chlorine is added to kill germs. Other chemicals are added to cause dirt particles to coagulate, flocculate and form bigger dirt particles called floc. The water and floc flow into sedimentation basins where the floc settles to the bottom, allowing the clear water on top to flow into filters. The filters, generally made of sand and gravel, remove any remaining particles.

Water treatment is not only important, but it can be costly too. Joe Jaworski, assistant business manager of Public Works and Utilities for the City of Lincoln, said customers pay for a variety of things that contribute to having clean drinking water.

Customers pay for the water they use and also for the processes to clean it and make it suitable for domestic uses.

According to Jaworski, meter readings, accounting and fire hydrant upkeep are all part of the costs consumers pay for in their monthly water bill. Service charges are based on the size of the water meter or apartment complex from which the water is used.

Additionally, a component of the Safe Drinking Water Act amendments of 1996 is designed to enhance consumer awareness of the quality of their drinking water and what they pay for in their water bills. Because of these amendments, it is now mandatory that water utilities provide an annual report to consumers detailing the quality of their drinking water supply.

These Consumer Confidence Reports (or CCRs) can be used to answer common questions water customers may have, as well as provide them with phone numbers for more information.

Lee suggests that if consumers have questions about their local water supply they contact their utility company first. They will be able to answer questions, provide water testing results and offer other information and assistance.

Although a safe drinking water supply may not be a constant thought in your mind, consumers should be aware of the crucial role they play in ensuring the local drinking water supply remains a safe one.