How the Water Gets to You
Most of the
water we drink is pumped from City Lake and processed into treated
drinking water at the Ward Water Plant on Kivett Drive. We have a
state-of-the-art treatment facility where we remove those contaminants
water picks up as it is collected in our watershed.
Where Our Water Comes From
High Point's water comes from a 62 square mile area known as a watershed. We do not have any large river systems, such as the Yadkin or Neuse River, to rely on. As a matter of fact, we are the 1st to use water from the beginning, or headwaters, of a larger river system called the Cape Fear River. Our water comes from rainfall and runoff in an area roughly bordered by U.S. Highway 421 on the north (above I-40), Main Street on the southwest, N.C. Highway 66 on the west, Montlieu Avenue on the southeast, and Guilford College Road on the east.
The water collects in streams that flow together into what becomes the east and west forks of Deep River. It is then collected and stored in our 2 lakes: Oak Hollow and City Lake. Before we can send the water to you, it needs to be treated to remove contaminants it has picked up on the way to our water supply lakes.
4 Basic Steps to Treating Water
First, we add alum (aluminum sulfate) to water, speeding the removal of most dirt and other larger particulate matter. This step is known as settling. Once completed, water is filtered to remove smaller pieces of debris and bacteria. The water is chemically treated to kill any remaining bacteria. Next, fluoride is added to protect teeth and chemicals to protect pipes are included. Federal, state, and local health laws and ordinances require these additives during treatment. Then, water is stored. Finally, it is pumped into homes and businesses around High Point and the surrounding area.