Reflection About Water

Water is the most important liquid we all know. It is needed by humans in order for its body to move and perform the action. We couldn’t last for three days without water, so it is important to find or locate clean and suitable for drinking source. Back in the old days our ancestor must locate deep well, lakes and river streams in order to obtain this liquid, but as time progress water is now being transported to every home by means of pipes coming from the water supplier such as Maynilad and Manila Water in the Philippines. So going back with our trip the practicum class made its way to Manila Water to observe and learn more of the real process of a water treating facility. Supplying a brief history of Manila Water based on the statement and

Inside the plant, you may observe the different antique equipment from the MWSS, gauges tapped in the pipeline to measure the pressure and flow rate, a control panel in the middle and temperature sensors. It is amazing to see the improvement and changes in the equipment being used in the old days and the present. Holding areas can also be seen in two sides. The smell of the water is not that good and the color is not that clear, but the personnel told us that when post-chlorination is over the water will be crystal clear and odorless. The class went outside and first started in the coagulation area where coagulants and coagulant aids are mixed uniformly with water to be treated to allow bridging or adhesion of individual particles into flocs that settle more easily. The mixture is accomplished through slow mixing letting the flocs settle easier. It takes time before coagulation is over. In order to determine the amount of coagulant dosage, a jar test is being performed. The flocs are then made to settle down in the sedimentation basin and this is accomplished by enlarging the area of the basin to reduce the velocity of the water and adopting a chemical dosage which has a greater settling rate than the designed overflow rate of the basin. Before the water reached the sedimentation area it is treated using pre-chlorination process. The entire plant does not use pumps in order to transport the water; it only uses gravity as its primary source of locomotion. As the water flows sedimentation occurs devouring two working hours of the plant. After the main treatment, the water is transported inside where post chlorination occurs and water is ready to be delivered to the consumer’s home. Questions were raised concerning the plant’s sanitation when it comes to drinking water because of foreign objects being seen in the reservoir. The plant manager then assures us that the water they