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Escondido-Vista Water Treatment Plant

Treatment Process
As water enters the plant through a 54 inch diameter pipe, chemicals are added to assist in the treatment process. These chemicals may include:
  • chlorine to destroy bacteria and oxidize organic matter
  • potassium permanganate to oxidize organic components
  • aluminum sulfate (alum) to coagulate the suspended materials
  • synthetic polyelectrolytes to aid in coagulation and filtration
  • caustic soda to control pH
  • zinc orthophosphate which acts as a corrosion inhibitor in the water
After chemicals are added to the water, it flows through a mixing channel where water and chemicals are flash mixed. It then enters the flocculation basins where the coagulants and the suspended materials form a "floc". Following flocculation, the wate renters the settling basins where the "floc" settles to the bottom of the basin to form the sludge. The sludge is then pumped to the city sewer system and disposed of properly. Water skimmed from the surface of the basins spills over collection weirs and into the settled water channel.

Filtration Process
Water from the settled water channel flows through high rate, dual media filter beds of anthracite coal and sand. The coal and sand are supported by a bed of graded rock. Crystal clear water results.
Periodically the filter must be backwashed to remove the fine suspended matter that collects in the filter media. The water used in this process is then returned to the plant to be treated and used again.

Design Criteria

  
Description Size
Maximum Plant Capacity 90 million gallons per day
Flocculation Basins 
Average depth
Volume (each)		 28 basins
13 feet
38,900 gallons
Sedimentation Basins
Dimensions (each)
Average water depth
Volume (each)
Detention time		 4 basins
40 x 280 feet
14 feet
1.17 million gallons
75 minutes
Filters
Design filtration rate
Media areaa
Sand depth
Coal depth
Water level above media
Gravel depth		 8 filters
7.2 gallons per minute/feet squared
1085 square feet
10 inches
20 inches
8 feet
18 inches

Quality Control

 ESCONDIDO - VISTA WATER TREATMENT PLANT
3440 East Valley Parkway • Escondido, CA 92027-5224
  (760) 839-4882
Fax (760) 745-8767
Business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.


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