Sweetwater Reservoir
Built in 1888, Sweetwater Dam is 127 feet high and allows the reservoir to hold up to nine billion gallons of water. The reservoir is protected by a diversion system which traps polluted and low-quality local runoff.
Disinfection
Chlorine dioxide is added to untreated water to kill bacteria and viruses in the water.
Coagulation
Ferric chloride and cationic polymer are quickly added and mixed into the water to begin the process of removing dirt and particles.
Flocculation
During the flocculation process, polymers and ferric gently mix, causing the dirt particles to stick together to form clumps. The iron in the ferric causes the floc clumps to turn an orange, rusty color.
Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) System
The DAF basins provide a reaction zone where tiny bubbles are added into the water. The air bubbles catch onto the coagulated particles causing them to rise and float; this forms a sludge blanket on top of the water. The sludge blanket hydraulically floats to a desludging basin, where it is removed. Meanwhile, the clarified water travels below the sludge blanket to the sediment basins.