Forty-four billion gallons of water fill the area which is constantly replenished by groundwater sources. The wells average 110 feet deep, penetrating the aquifer near its bottom. Collectively, our twelve wells can pump about 17 thousand gallons of water per minute or 24 million gallons per day to the McBaine Water Treatment Plant. At the treatment plant, the water first flows through aerators and is exposed to air that is drawn through the aerators by fans. This oxidation of the well water reduces levels of iron, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide that are naturally found in the water.
Excess iron can stain laundry.
Hydrogen sulfide causes an unpleasant odor in the water. Carbon dioxide consumes lime used in the softening process and increases the cost of water treatment. Heavy, insoluble particles of calcium and magnesium form and settle to the bottom of the softening basins, and as it accumulates, it is piped to lagoons where it is dried and later used as landfill. This process physically removes fifty percent of the hardness causing minerals from the water. Softened water enables you to use less laundry detergent and reduces scale formed in water heaters and pipes.