Water Treatment Process
Water treatment is a part of our multi-barrier approach to providing safe drinking water.
East Hants has two Water Treatment Systems:
- Regional Water Treatment Facility & Distribution System
- Shubenacadie Water Treatment Facility & Distribution System
The Regional Water Treatment Facility (also known as Enfield Water Treatment Facility) is located in Enfield, NS. Water from the Shubenacadie River is treated by three DAF units and four mixed media filters before fluoridation and chlorination. A phosphate mixture is added to the treated water for corrosion control purposes. Parallel BCA trains from previous upgrade provide the option of increased capacity. The facility serves the communities of Enfield, Elmsdale and Lantz.
The Shubenacadie Water Treatment Facility located in Shubenacadie, NS. Two Production wells supply groundwater to the facility. Two sand filters, two softeners, and a carbon filter are used as treatment before chlorination. A phosphate mixture is added to the treated water or corrosion control purposes. The plant uses the existing distribution system from the decommissioned Snide’s Lake Water Treatment Plant to serve the community of Shubenacadie.
Chlorine
Disinfection is considered a critical process of water treatment because it destroys harmful bacteria and viruses in the water. Chlorine has been shown to be an effective agent against waterborne bacteria and viruses. The Nova Scotia Guidelines for Monitoring Public Drinking Water Supplies require that minimum free chlorine residual of 0.2 mg/L should be measured at all points in the water distribution system and must not exceed 4 mg/L at any time.
The amount of chlorine found in our treated water is safe to drink; however, some customers may dislike the taste or odor associated with treated water. Storing water in an uncovered glass container for a few hours will allow the chlorine in the water to dissipate. Alternatively, activated carbon or charcoal filters can remove the background taste of chlorine.
