Every drop of water used by homes in Westlake MUD 1 is part of a continuous cycle designed to protect public health, support our community, and safeguard the environment.
1. From Nature to Your Tap
Water begins its journey in natural sources such as rivers, lakes, or underground aquifers. Before it ever reaches your home, it is carefully treated at a water treatment facility to remove impurities and disinfected to meet all state and federal drinking water standards. From there, the water travels through underground pipes to your home, ready for drinking, cooking, bathing, and everyday use.
2. Down the Drain
Once water is used, it flows into the sanitary sewer system and is carried to a wastewater treatment plant. To keep this system operating safely and efficiently, only water, human waste, and toilet paper should go down drains and toilets. Items like wipes, grease, and trash can cause blockages, backups, and costly damage to the system.
3. Cleaned and Renewed
At the wastewater treatment plant, the water goes through several important treatment stages before it is returned to the environment:
- Primary Treatment: Large solids and debris are removed.
- Secondary Treatment: Naturally occurring microorganisms break down organic matter.
- Tertiary Treatment: The water is disinfected to remove remaining bacteria or viruses.
4. Back to Nature
After treatment, the cleaned water is released into local waterways, where it reenters the natural water cycle. Over time, it may return as rainfall and begin the journey all over again. This simple but powerful process helps ensure our community continues to have access to safe, reliable water year after year.
Protecting the Cycle
Residents play an important role in keeping this cycle clean and efficient. You can help by:
- Not flushing wipes, paper towels, or trash
- Never pouring fats, oils, or grease down the drain
- Using water wisely—small conservation efforts make a big difference
Westlake MUD 1 works every day to make sure every drop of water—from your tap to treatment and back to nature—is handled safely and responsibly. Together, we can protect this vital resource for today and for future generations.