A water treatment plant is a facility that processes raw water from lakes, rivers, or groundwater sources to produce safe drinking water meeting health standards. Treatment processes vary based on source water quality but typically include coagulation and flocculation (clumping particles), sedimentation (settling), filtration (removing remaining particles), and disinfection (killing pathogens, usually with chlorine or UV light). Advanced treatment may address specific contaminants. Treatment plants must meet provincial drinking water standards based on Health Canada guidelines. Plant capacity must accommodate peak demands and community growth. Treatment plants represent major municipal investments with significant operating costs for chemicals, energy, and skilled operators. Drinking water safety depends on proper treatment plant operation, making operator training and certification essential.