treatment process
Surface water contains organic materials, which must be removed to make the water safe for drinking and aesthetically pleasing. The water must also be disinfected. The treated surface water produced by the regional treatment plants meets the high quality standards established by Tampa Bay Water’s members and is superior to both state and federal drinking water standards.
First Stage: ACTIFLO®
The plant incorporates the most advanced technologies throughout the treatment process. In the first stage of treatment, Veolia Water's patented ACTIFLO® process is used to remove the color and particles from the water. ACTIFLO® us widely used throughout the world and is particularly advantageous when treating large flow rates with variable raw water quality—exactly the conditions found in the surface water treatment plant. ACTIFLO builds on the traditional chemical treatment process by adding fine grain sand with polymer. After this step, the water moves into the maturation tank for further mixing, allowing large particles called “floc” to form. This clumping process removes color and organic matter from the water. The floc and raw water are separated in a settling tank.
