Most people never think about how running water actually works. They simply turn on their faucet and the water is there. While they understand the idea of a city water source, water lines, and pipes that carry water into the house, few people really know how the entire system works.
Having a home water delivery in Atlanta service set up for drinking water is so convenient, but imagine if you had to have all of your water delivered—water for showering, washing clothing, and all of the other things you use water for around the house. It would be a lot.
Tap water makes life easier and helps you avoid getting dehydrated. The process of how it gets from its source to your home is a fascinating one. Keep reading to learn more about it.
The Source of Your Water
For those who live in an urban setting, your water likely comes from the public water supply. This water goes through a treatment facility to make certain it’s clean and to add fluoride to it before it’s sent to your homes. You pay a monthly water bill to cover the costs of operating this facility.
If you live on a farm or in a rural setting, you may have a private water well. This well still makes use of pipes and some of the same systems that a public water works does, but it only provides water to your home. The other main difference is that you may not have fluoride added to the water.
Cleaning the Water
Regardless of whether your water comes from the ground, a well, or a public reservoir, the water has to be tested to ensure that it’s safe for you to drink. Public water reservoirs are filtered and cleaned with specific chemicals to check that they contain no impurities or harmful organisms. Ground wells also must be tested and may need to have filters and other cleaning solutions used so you can safely drink the water without getting sick.
Storing and Transporting the Water
Once city water has been treated, it becomes “potable”. This water then goes into the city’s reservoir. These reservoirs hold thousands of gallons of potable water at a time, so there’s no fear of having a water shortage.
Reservoirs are connected to a series of pipes that are buried underground throughout the city. These water mains typically run parallel to streets or between rows of houses. Pipes called service lateral lines run from these larger water mains to each house or building, connecting it to the water system.
That service lateral line connects through your water meter before branching off to every faucet, shower, bathtub, toilet, and other water hookup in your home. Typically, plumbing problems occur within the smaller pipes that run through your house, although major issues could require repairs to your service lateral line.
Pumps and Gravity
While the city water reservoir or water tower is usually built on a hill or other higher ground, this isn’t always the case. To get water to every customer, regardless of the elevation of the home, the water system makes use of a number of pumps.
Often, the system is designed in such a way to take advantage of gravity for moving as much water as possible. This reduces the amount of power the system needs, which in turn decreases how much you pay for the water service.
Home Water Delivery in Atlanta Can Provide Amazing Drinking Water
Although tap water is clean and safe to drink, it’s not the freshest or most delicious option. If you’re interested in delivered water, Lipsey can help. Contact us today to start your free, two-week trial.