Generally, the Lake Murray Plant serves the area west of the Broad River and the area north of Interstate 20 and the Columbia Canal Plant serves the remaining area. The system is designed, however, so that water can be supplied to the entire service area by either plant. As water is pumped into the treatment plants, intake areas screen out floating debris such as plants and fish. The water mixture is then gently circulated so that the coagulating particles continue to merge into larger floc particles. These floc particles pass into a sedimentation basin where they settle to the bottom and are eventually disposed of.
Filtration removes any remaining particles.
The water passes through filters containing layers of sand, gravel and anthracite coal. Small floc particles cling to filter material as water passes through. After all particles have been removed, a small amount of chlorine is added to the water to keep bacteria from developing as it travels to your home or business. A small amount of fluoride is also added to the water to assist in preventing tooth decay. The DHEC will be conducting source water assessments of both the Broad River and Lake Murray as part of the State Source Water Assessment Program.