Cliffdale West

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How Is My Water Treated & Purified

Batavia's groundwater is naturally pure and requires minimal treatment beyond softening. Soft water enhances cleaning efficiency, allowing you to use less soap for better results. Tonawanda Creek water enters the facility through mechanical filters that prevent debris from progressing further into the plant. Creek water blends with well water in flash mixers where treatment chemicals are introduced.

Ferric sulphate acts as a coagulant, neutralizing charges on suspended particles so they cluster together and settle. Calcium oxide (lime) is added to soften the raw water, causing calcium, magnesium, and other minerals to precipitate. The treated water moves to softening tanks where large paddles slowly stir it, creating a sludge layer of impurities.

Next, in the settling basin, water velocity decreases allowing suspended matter to drop to the bottom. Carbon dioxide adjusts pH levels, and chlorine disinfects to prevent microbial growth in your tap water. From there, water passes through twelve rapid sand filters that capture any remaining particles, achieving typical turbidity readings of around 0.02 NTU.

Finally, a small amount of polyphosphate corrosion inhibitor prevents dissolved minerals from accumulating in your pipes. Pumps distribute the finished water throughout the system to elevated tanks and to homes and businesses at approximately 70 PSI.

Fluoridation of Our Water

Our system joins many municipal water systems across New York State providing controlled, low-level fluoride for dental health protection. According to the US Centers for Disease Control, fluoride effectively prevents cavities when present in tap water at optimal levels between 0.7 and 1.0 ppm. To ensure proper fluoride supplementation, the State Department of Health requires regular monitoring. During the reporting year, testing showed fluoride levels within the optimal range 85% of the time, with no results approaching the 2.2 ppm MCL limit for fluoride.