Proceso de potabilización del agua

Water Purification Process at Federico Guardia Conte Plant

Introduction to Water Consumption

• The importance of drinking water is emphasized, with recommendations suggesting humans should consume eight glasses daily for health benefits.

• The process of purifying river water involves six essential steps to ensure safe drinking water for the population in Panama.

Steps in the Water Purification Process

Step 1: Water Extraction

• The journey begins at Lake Alajuela, where raw water is extracted for treatment.

Step 2: Pumping Station

• A pumping station equipped with five pumps moves 79,380 liters of unprocessed water per minute through a 60-inch diameter pipeline.

• This pipeline includes a meter to measure the flow and a grid that filters out larger particles.

Step 3: Chemical Treatment

• In both old and new plants, chemicals such as fluoride, aluminum sulfate, and chlorine gas are added based on the volume of incoming water.

• These chemicals help eliminate pathogens by binding impurities for removal during flocculation and sedimentation.

Step 4: Flocculation

• After chemical addition, the water enters floculators where it is gently agitated to form flocs—aggregates of particles that trap bacteria and algae.

• Anionic polymers and activated carbon are introduced to improve color, taste, and remove harmful microorganisms.

Step 5: Sedimentation

• Flocs settle at the bottom in sedimentation tanks using sloped channels called "colmenas" to guide sedimentation effectively.

Step 6: Filtration

• The final filtration step uses layers of anthracite coal, sand, and gravel to capture smaller particles not removed during sedimentation.

• Post-filtration chlorination ensures that treated water meets safety standards before reaching consumers.

Distribution of Treated Water

• Treated potable water is stored in tanks located in Tinajitas San Miguelito, holding over 37 million liters before distribution throughout Panama City.