Here's a rundown of the recycled water treatment process:

1. Source water (treated wastewater from the Robert W. Hite Wastewater Treatment Plant) enters the Recycling Plant and is treated with a biologically aerated filter process to remove ammonia. Air is injected into the base of each treatment cell and the aerated water flows through individual treatment cells containing styrene-based media. The media provide a high specific surface area where micro-organisms attach and act as a filter media for suspended solids removal. This treatment process helps minimize the amount of chemicals needed downstream, and keeps salt levels low in the treated water.
2. The water is then rapidly mixed with sticky coagulants that can capture suspended solids and nutrients.
3. The water is "flocculated," stirred with large, slow-moving paddle wheels. This creates turbulence and increases the contact of solids and coagulant. This allows snowflake-like particles to grow larger and heavier. These large suspended solids then settle out in the sedimentation basin.
4. The water then passes through filter beds containing a type of coal called anthracite. This stage traps remaining solids.
5. After filtration, the water passes into contact basins where chemicals are added for disinfection and corrosion control before distribution to customers.