Chapter 20

The next day Albert led them to the water supply side of Stans community with all the protocols that were necessary for prevention. There was uneasiness in Amelia's demeanor perhaps she couldn't believe they were actually going to a very dangerous place. "Are you scared?" David held her hand tightly as if he had sensed her discomfort. "I am rather skeptical than scared," she said. They smiled at each other which was only visible from their eyes as their mouths were covered in masks. "We have to search every thing step wise so that no place goes undetected." Albert blurted suddenly. They nodded in acquiescence. Before going to the water purification plant they began from the water withdrawal sources. Amelia was sure that something must not be right at the place where water was delivered to the households.

The water reserves were a little away from the residential area of Stans. Amelia was stunned to see the huge aqueducts that brought water from the reserves to the water purification plant. "Oh my God I didn't imagine this" she gawked at the size and technology of the plant. "Thomas was right," she mumbled with surprise as she raised her head to the magnificence of scientific inventions. Albert had brought a sketch of the system with him. They followed him wherever he went. "Even if we assume there is a problem in this area," he raised his hand towards the aqueducts from the water reserves and continued, "It vanishes in the purification plant." he said conclusively. David and Amelia looked at him. "That's because we have the best water purification plants. Even if there are micro organisms or viruses that realistically seem impossible to kill are also killed at this site. So, I am sure we are safe here." They shook their heads, "That sound absolutely right." They too replied with conviction.

There was an enormous container the size of which was unmeasurable for Amelia and David where the water from the reserves through the large diameter pipes splashed into it. "This is the first step where coagulation chemicals are added," he looked at them to see if they understood whatever he said. "And what exactly are those chemicals?" David asked as he was certain that every detail regarding the chemicals were worth noting. "Iron, aluminium and some types of salts," he replied immediately. David nodded his head. Albert straightened his pea cape and cleared his throat.

"this process is necessary because the water that comes directly from the reserves are not empty of solid impurities." he continued. "They are removed through the process of coagulation." There were big tanks that were attached to each other successively through huge pipes. Amelia visualized their roles in her mind. She suddenly felt tired. It seemed impossible to find the place where the problem might have occurred. "This is a process through which both the organic and inorganic particles are separated from water molecules." He began again. "And how exactly does that take place?" David asked ignorantly, "The coagulants that are added in the container neutralize the impurities, be it clay particles or bacteria which facilitate the bonding between them to make a larger compounds that are easy to separate. You call this flocculation. The particles make flocs that become heavy than water." Amelia grew more curious as she strolled around the plant. Albert came closer to the other huge tank

"You can also call this a sedimentation tank or a sludge collector." he said as he began to explain another circular shaped tank. Amelia could see that there were two pipes attached to the sedimentation tank. One pipe was attached to its left side while the other pipe was below it. The bottom of the sedimentation tank was cone shaped. Each pipe was attached to other containers. Looking at her quizzical eyes Albert instantly said. "This pipe and this container collects the sludge that sit at the cone shaped bottom of sedimentation tank." he raised his hand again towards the basin where sludge was collected. Electric cylinders were attached to the sedimentation tank that were activated every few hours to accelerate the process of settling particles down.

"We don't waste a single drop of water. It's precious." He boasted about the efficiency of the purifying technology. "And this pipe that goes to that big tank carry the clean and pure liquid while retaining any suspended particle through advanced filters." he said as he walked towards the filtration tank. "This is where the disinfection of water takes place...Chlorination and fluoridation." he murmured gesturing his hand to a pipe knowing they comprehended the process. And there was another enormous storage tank where the filtered and disinfected water for delivery to the households was stored. That was comparatively bigger than the purification tanks. "So that's the plant where not even a speck of impurity can survive." Albert asserted. "You are right but some of the laboratories had tested the water few days back whose results we received now through text from a friend and it turned out positive for Hepatitis A and E viruses. So, there is no doubt contamination has taken place somewhere." Albert gazed at the giganticity of the plant and then assessed the probable contamination about which David and Amelia were so sure. He closed his eyes and rubbed his nose with the tips of his thumb and index finger. "Where are the sewerage pipes?" Amelia abruptly asked. He suddenly opened his eyes. "I know where you are going now?" He smiled and looked around. "It must be underground." David left Amelia and Albert behind and followed the pipe that vertically came down from the storage tank and into the ground. He knew that the big pipe that delivered water to the community was underground which must have been divided into sub-pipes near the residential area. "It must be few miles from here?" he asked trying to dig the pipe which was covered in the soil. "You cannot detect anything like that. You have to act smartly so that time and energy both are reserved." Amelia said and Albert agreed. "Let's first drive near the area. We might get some clue." They hopped into the same car.

"O my God. It is as dead as a Roman Empire." Amelia was shocked to see that not even a stray dog was visible. "Sshh...We have to be cautious." Albert whispered. "Just stop here." he suddenly said. David pulled the car over instantly assuming that something was wrong. He looked behind at the place from where they came and then to his left where the streets just appeared. "The sewerage system is never designed near or parallel to the purified drinking water pipes or tanks. That is something I am sure of." He removed his pea cape and scratched his partially bald head to think more. "The sewerage lines are on the other side." He walked there silently while looking around to see if anyone appeared. "As far as I remember one of the sewerage pipes went perpendicular to this utility water pipe. There is no way they could contaminate water unless..." he stopped immediately as he thought about the various possibilities. There were houses on both sides where they had stopped their car. David and Amelia were also scrutinizing the ground. They knew that it was a difficult job to find out the correct location and dig at that exact spot because it was a metaled road but they were hopeful. They assumed they were standing near the location but it was just a matter of time to reveal it. Albert walked near the pipes trying to figure out the point of problem. Though the pipes were not visible because they were deep inside the ground but his knowledge as an engineer was enough to locate them. David and Amelia who were standing near the tree on the pavement followed his gaze wherever it went. After walking several times at that particular area staring at the ground he came closer to them. He gently pushed Amelia aside and sat down to peek at the spot. The road was broken and protruded as if the roots of the roadside tree had damaged it. But the most intriguing thing was that the ground was wet. As if water was leaking out from that spot. He put his hand in his pocket and searched for something. David and Amelia looked at him blankly. He got a small red strip out of his pocket. David knitted his eyebrows. "It's a litmus paper," Albert winked. The water was enough for him to dip the strip into it. It immediately turned the litmus blue. he rubbed his chin and puckered his eyebrows. So, the water is Alkaline. He looked at them and smiled. "This is the spot we have to dig." He blurted. "But how?" they asked astonished. "The fresh sewage water is always alkaline. So it means the water is still leaking." They stood there staring at him with amazement.

******

The next day he brought two of his men to dig the spot. Amelia and David were there too. After digging a few feet they were finally able to see the pipes that intersected each other. There was a blow of foul smelling wind that entered their noses despite the masks they wore. But what surprised them the most was the tree roots that wrapped the pipes. It had put so much pressure on the sewer that it was broken and the constant leakage had rusted the water pipe beneath it. The sewage water was dripping into the main drinking water pipe which was further delivered to the households. Though it was a terrible sign but they looked at each other with a triumphant smile. They had finally found the source yet they knew it was just a beginning. One stage was over but there were a lot more to come. And they were prepared.