Lake Ontario is the source for the South Peel Water System. As lake water enters the intake, it is chlorinated. The chlorine kills bacteria and prevents zebra mussels from clogging up the pipe.
As the water enters the treatment facility, it passes through the travelling screen. The screen prevents items such as fish, sticks and aquatic plants from entering the treatment facility and damaging equipment.
Low lift, high lift and backwash pumps are located in the pump room.
Low lift pumps draw the lake water into the treatment plant.
High lift pumps move treated water into the water distribution system and reservoirs.
Backwash pumps are used to clean the filters.
Coagulation assists with the removal of turbidity and suspended matter (particles) in the water.
A coagulant (acidified aluminum sulphate or Alum) is added to the water. The rapid mixer thoroughly mixes the coagulant and water.
Flocculation is the process of slow mixing that helps the sticky particles collide with each other, forming larger and heavier particles called floc.
The next step is sedimentation. 
Floc particles are removed from the water by inclined plate settlers. The floc particles land on the surface of the plate settlers. As more and more floc accumulates, it slides down the incline forming settled solids at the bottom of the tank. The settled solids are removed and transferred to the wastewater treatment facility.
Filtration removes remaining particles and chlorine-resistant bacteria. The water travels through layers of granular activated carbon, sand and gravel. Water starts at the top of the filter and moves down by gravity.
Every few days, the filters are backwashed (cleaned). Clean water is pumped up and through the filter media, lifting and flushing out the floc particles that have accumulated in the filter. The backwash water is stored in holding tanks and then treated in the backwash treatment facility.
The process of disinfection destroys harmful pathogens such as E. coli and Giardia. Chlorine is the most common disinfectant used in water treatment.
Fluoride is added to the finished water to prevent cavities in our teeth. The finished water is then stored in a reservoir and pumped into our communities through the water distribution system.
Diesel-powered generators provide auxiliary or standby power for the facility. Standby power ensures 
we can provide water in case of an emergency such as a massive power failure.
The water flows through watermains to houses, apartments, schools, commercial and industrial premises.
The Region of Peel treats approximately 175 billion litres of water every year.