From Supply to the Tap: How Your Water Gets to You
Your water goes through many different processes before it reaches your tap. Here's a short step-by-step look at what it takes to get water from its source to your home.
The Source of Your Water
Your water source begins in the American River watershed, which offers some of the highest quality water in California. Then, the water flows to the Folsom Reservoir where it is stored before going through the treatment process.
Treating Your Water
Water is then moved from Folsom Reservoir through 84-inch pipes to our advanced treatment plant where it undergoes extensive treatment to ensure the highest quality of water for our customers. The treatment plant, located near our office site, can treat up to 120 million gallons of water a day.
Storing Treated Water
From the treatment plant, high-quality water flows into the 62-million gallon capacity Hinkle Reservoir, also located on site near our office. The reservoir is lined and covered, ensuring that water is protected from the time it leaves the water treatment plant until it reaches your tap. Storing reserve water in this reservoir, one of the largest of its kind, allows the treatment plant to operate at a steady, efficient pace. On hot days, the reservoir is drawn down by increased water demand, then refilled at night when demand is low.
Moving Water to Our Customers
We maintain a total of 163 miles of pipeline of which a portion transports high-quality, treated water to our wholesale and retail customers. Our main pipeline is paralleled by a backup line that ensures continued service, improved pressure and fire flow in case of emergency. We also maintain a proactive capital improvement program to replace pipes before they break down and disrupt service or cause property damage.
Pumping Water Directly to Your Home
To maintain water pressure and distribute water to our retail customers, we maintain five pump stations. Where possible, the pipeline system is designed so the water will flow by gravity to save electrical pumping costs. In elevated areas where pumping is required, the size and placement of the pump station is designed to minimize electrical power use. These pump stations are the final step involved with moving water to your home’s pipes.
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