Water is taken from both natural and

manmade resources including rivers,

lakes and reservoirs and transported

via pipes to the treatment

The water is now cleaned and then pumped through large

pipes called trunk mains which are up to 1.5meters in

diameter. Water can travel through the pipes naturally by

gravity but it needs to be pumped in the flat areas. These

pipes are usually in pairs so that one can always transport

water if the other bursts or is being maintained.

The pipes take the water to an underground service reservoir or a

water tower. The reservoirs are covered with grass or gravel so that

the water will stay clean. When the pipes lead to a water tower, the

water is pumped to the top, and then gravity will transport the water

to houses and factories. (So when the water falls down it creates so

much pressure, that it naturally will be transported to houses and

factories)

From here water travels through smaller

mains, flowing into the network of pipes in

our towns and cities. All the water that

then flows into our homes is of drinking

water quality. In some areas it can take up

to a week for the water to get from the

treatment works to our homes and more

chlorine will be added to ensure that it is

still clean when it comes through to our

taps.