Step 1:

Raw water is aerated by cascading over a series of plateaus, removing naturally occurring iron and dissolved gasses.

Step 2:

The water enters the mixing basins where chlorine, polymer, and lime are added in carefully measured quantities through automatic feeding devices.

During this step, lime is also added to remove the various mineral compounds which cause the water to be "hard." These compounds mix the lime in solution which forms the other compounds (calcium carbonate) which are not soluble in water.

Step 3:

From the mixing basins the water enters the settling basins where this insoluble calcium carbonate settles as lime sludge, which is eventually removed and disposed of by various means.

Step 4:

The water is then filtered through rapid sand filters for removal of any solids that may be present. The water then enters a large basin, the clearwell, as "finished" drinking water. The finished water is transferred to a five million gallon storage tank and/or pumped directly to homes and businesses in the City of Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, Sea Ranch Lakes, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, portions of east Tamarac, and the Port Everglades Authority.