Maytag MWF4200AWS Technical Information download pdf (Page 21)

3-2

Figure 3.1 - The Water Cycle

3.3 Drinking Water Sources

There are a number of water sources available for drinking water and other household uses. In general,

there are two drinking water types: municipal and private. Municipal water can be taken from a number of

locations, including surface waters (lakes and/or rivers), ground wells, and rainwater collection systems.

The water is typically treated to quality standards set by the local government and then delivered to the

community. Private sources can also be taken from surface water (lakes and/or rivers), ground wells, and

rain water collection systems. Water from private sources is not typically treated before consumption and

may still contain contaminants like turbidity, organics, bacteria, viruses, and/or parasites.

3.3.1 Municipal Water

Once the water is taken from the source, it is usually treated with a number of processes that reduce the

turbidity, organic content, and microbiological contamination in the water. At a minimum, municipal

systems provide disinfection residuals by adding for example chlorine or fluoride to maintain the water’s

microbiological safety as it is delivered to the individual residences in the community. More sophisticated

processes can address turbidity, organic matter, mineral contamination such as iron and manganese and

odours such as hydrogen sulphide. Once the water is treated, it is pumped through a piping distribution

system to each individual house.

3.3.2 Cistern Water

Cisterns are simple holding tanks commonly made from concrete and, in more recent times, plastic. They

are used in locations that do not have municipally treated water supplied directly to residences. In these

situations, homeowners can receive water from the municipality on a batch basis from a water hauling

company, collect the water using roof top collection systems, or use a combination of both of these

methods. In the past, water haulers have pumped water from clean, clear sources such as streams or

springs. Because of recent microbiological contamination issues in many locations, water is now more

commonly taken from neighbouring town water treatment facilities. At the household, the water is pumped

into a holding tank that is typically located underground on the homeowner’s property. To supply the

household with water, a pump/pressure tank delivery system is required.

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Maytag MWF4200AWS Technical Information Page 21