Facilities

Discover DMU's main water facility──where your water comes from.

Delano has four wells ranging from 135 to 180 feet deep. These wells are drilled into an underground aquifer, known as the Jordan Aquifer, to pump groundwater to the surface. The water undergoes a natural filtering process before collecting in the aquifer as it trickles through layers of soil and sand particles. 

Once pumped to the surface, the water is treated for iron and manganese removal by pressure filters at a rate of up to 5 million gallons per day (mgd). Our actual daily average rate is 500,000 gallons per day with a current peak of 1.5 million gallons per day.

The Water Treatment Process

The treatment process reduces the hardness in our water from 46 grains to 26 grains. This is done by the following procedures:

• Chlorine is added to disinfect the water. 
• Fluoride is added to help with preventing tooth decay.
• Polyphosphates are added to help prevent red or black water and impede scale formation and corrosion.

The utility tests the water at numerous locations every month to ensure all state and federal water quality standards are met.

Delano Water Tower

The Delano water tower is a 1.5-million-gallon storage tank. It was built in 2002 and replaced a 495,000-gallon tank built in 1970. The water distribution system consists of 20 miles of pipe, ranging from 4−16 inches in diameter, with 351 hydrants that are flushed every spring and fall.

Learn more about the DMU team and services we provide. Contact us today for more information.