Introduction
This memorandum provides an articulate description of the origin of drinking water in Salt Lake City, in the state of Utah. A comprehensive description of the water utility within the city and the primary sources of water are also provided. The path which the water follows incorporates the distribution, treatment and transmission is also covered.
The city has numerous water supply utilities with a capacity of about 90 million gallons daily. It is pertinent to note that the city receives most of its precipitation inform of snow. The city has the highest volume of snow around January. The city relies on different sources of water which include rivers, springs and wells. The reservoirs where the water is stored before transmission and distribution are strategically located around the city. The water supply network in the city is complicated by the variance in the climatic conditions of the region. The systems incorporate aqueducts, dams and reservoirs, which source their water from the Parleys creek, little Cotton wood creek and the city creek. These are located within the city and contribute more than half of the city’s water requirements. However, the management of the public utilities found it prudent to boost the water by investing in a project located outside the city known as the deer creek project which contributes almost thirty percent of the city’s water capacity.
It is evident that the city’s principal source of water is ground water. The city has developed multiple regulations that help it to protect the ground water. The authorities have established protected zones where underground human activities are highly regulated. Care has to be taken to ensure that tapping of ground water does not result to aquifer depletion, saltwater intrusion as well as lowering the water table. The quality of the water within the city is monitored from the intake appurtenances. Some of the activities at the intakes include silt removal. Moreover, the bore of the well are also maintained to enhance the quantity and the quality of water obtained.
After the water is tapped, it is transmitted to water treatment facilities where some of the techniques applied include fluoridation and disinfection. The common disinfection system used is a chlorination disinfection system. Moreover, the treatment plants are responsible for the process of pH adjustment, softening as well as taste and odor adjustment. After the water has been treated, it is transmitted to storage facilities ready for distribution. Facilities such as the Jordan Valley Water Treatment Plant have specialized equipment that are responsible for the entire treatment process.
The distribution and storage systems are expansive and are designed to ensure that there is adequate water for the city residents even in the occurrence of an earthquake. With the city depending on ground water the is a high risk of interruption in the occurrence of an earthquake that alters the earth’s fault lines interrupting the water supply. There are multiple pressure zones in the city from where the pressure tanks are located to allow gravity influenced water flow. The distribution storage facilities are designed to enhance water quality and accountability in the system. Maintenance during winter includes replacement of frozen mains as well as their thawing. Private water supplies in the city such as the Falcon crest water company are regulated to ensure that they maintain a high quality of the water distributed.
Works Cited
"Public Utilities | Salt Lake City - The Official City Government Website." Salt Lake City | Salt Lake City - The Official City Government Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2013.
