How the Water System Works
Water is collected from lakes, rivers, and underground aquifers, which are fed water by rain from storms and melting snow.
This is called source water.
Source water is pumped into treatment facilities where it undergoes filtration and purification to make it safe to drink.
Clarification separates particles from the water.
Then those particles are removed by sand, anthracite, or activated carbon filters.
Lastly, the water is disinfected using chlorine or ultraviolet (UV) light to kill off any bacteria and most of the common viruses.
Once the water has been deemed safe for human consumption, the clean water is carried out of the water treatment facility and into the distribution network.
This network consists of mains and water lines, which bring the water into homes, businesses, and other places with a source of running water.
Whenever you turn on a faucet, run the washer, use the dishwasher, or any other appliance connected to a water line, you get to enjoy clean tap water!
Used water, whether it goes down the sink drain or is flushed down the toilet, is pumped out of the home into the sewage system, which is responsible for removing waste water and delivering to its next destination.
The dirty water is treated at a wastewater treatment plant where it’s processed and cleaned so that it can be recycled back into the environment safely.
The clean wastewater is returned to the lakes, rivers, and aquifers it came from initially, and is topped off with water collected by stormwater systems.
In addition to pipes and ditches, other natural systems collect rainwater and snowmelt, redirecting them away from residential and business areas, and back into the natural environment to help ensure we have plenty of water available for the future.
Rinse and repeat as the water system starts all over again.
3 Different Types of Public Water Systems
There are more than 
public water systems that exist in the US, and they each fall
under a different category.
Community water systems:
300+ million people receive water from community water systems (approx. 90% of the US population), year round.
Ex. Homes and residential areas
Non-transient non-community water systems:
Provides water to the same group for at least 6 months, but not an entire year.
Ex. Schools, businesses, and other places with seasonal use
Transient non-community water systems:
Includes places that are not occupied for extended periods of time.
Ex. Campgrounds and gas stations
Water Hardness: What is it?
Sometimes the water that comes into our home contains large amounts of calcium and magnesium, which gives you hard water. Hard water can wreak havoc on your plumbing, kitchen and bathroom surfaces.
Hard water leads to a build-up of hardened minerals in your shower, faucets, dishwashers, and laundry.
It also reduces the flow of water in the pipes, causing soaps and shampoos to lather poorly, and reducing the effectiveness of your washing machines.
When hard water evaporates, it leaves hard water stains behind.
5 different classifications of water hardness
Soft:
Below 17 mg
per liter
Slightly hard:
17-60 mg
per liter
Moderately hard:
61-120 mg
per liter
Hard:
121-180 mg
per liter
Very Hard:
180+ mg
per liter
