Water School

MGD or million gallons per day is a measurement of water flow frequently used in measurement of water consumption. One mgd equals 133,680.56 cubic feet per day, 1.5472 cubic feet per second or 3.0689 acre-feet per day.

Chlorine is one of the elements known as halogens that are commonly used in bleach.  It is used in potable water treatment plants to eliminate bacteria and to minimize odor and taste.The amount of chlorine needed to purify drinking water is known as the chlorine demand.

Filtration is the process of separating solids from water during the potable treatment process using a porous material such as a permeable fabric called a membrane or by using sand.

Sedimentation in water treatment is a process in which water is cleaned by allowing solids to settle out of the water by gravity during treatment.

Potable water treatment is the process to purify water to make it acceptable to drink.  Most water treatment processes include some form or a combination of sedimentation, filtration, and chlorination.To view an illustration of the potable water treatment process at the East Williamson County Regional Water System, click here.

Reclaimed water is treated wastewater or effluent that can be used for certain beneficial purposes, such as irrigation, without first being returned to the water cycle.