What’s Really in Moulton’s Water? The Full Rundown From the Plant Floor

In a behind-the-scenes look, Moulton Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Stanley Nichols recently led a detailed tour explaining exactly how the city's drinking water is sourced, treated, and tested — and tackled some of the most common public misconceptions along the way.

The tour began with a walk-through of the plant’s intake process, where Nichols explained that water is pulled from Sinking Creek Lake and routed through a raw water tap. “Before any treatment hits it,” he said, “we can test straight from the source.” From there, chlorine dioxide is added — that’s a special disinfectant that helps clear up murky water (called turbidity) and remove metals like manganese and iron, which can cause color and taste issues. Chlorine dioxide is used early in the process to start breaking down unwanted substances, while chlorine is added later to kill bacteria and viruses.

Next, Nichols demonstrated the plant’s sedimentation basins, where polyaluminum chloride (or “PAC”) is used as a coagulant. PAC works like flour in gravy — it clumps tiny particles together so they’re easier to remove. Once those particles settle, the water flows through a multi-layered sand and anthracite filter system. The crushed black rock (anthracite) on top helps extend the life of the filter, while the sand underneath catches fine particles. “It’s been used for years and years across the country, and it still works,” Nichols said.

Throughout the tour, Nichols pointed to several high-tech monitoring tools, including an analyzer that continuously records chlorine levels to meet state reporting standards. “This machine’s recording 24/7,” he explained, “so if the state wants to see our numbers from a certain day or time, we’ve got it.”

One major takeaway from the tour: the water leaving the plant is clean. “Even when the water has tasted bad, like during algae blooms, it was still safe,” Nichols emphasized. “Taste is aesthetic. Safety is based on chlorine killing germs, and that never changed.”

He also addressed internet rumors head-on. When asked about cloudy or discolored water, Nichols noted that these issues typically stem from broken pipes, leaks, or neighborhood repairs — not the plant itself. “We’re not sending out dirty water. If there’s dirt in your line, it’s likely coming from a repair or a flush.”

The plant also runs tests daily for turbidity (water clarity), pH (how acidic or basic the water is), chlorine residuals (how much disinfectant is still active in the water), and more. “There’s a science to every drop,” Nichols said. “We’ve got to meet strict state guidelines — and if we mess up, it’s on us, not the city. We can lose our licenses.”

Nichols also addressed recent concerns about laundry coming out of the wash with bleach spots. According to industry experts, the issue likely isn’t the water — it’s modern high-efficiency washers that use very little water, combined with concentrated detergents. When detergent lands directly on clothes before it has a chance to dilute, it can cause spotting or fading. Nichols recommends diluting detergent in a jug of water first, or waiting until the washer fills before adding it. He also mentioned hearing reports of discolored or bleached spots on cloths or towels left sitting under slow-dripping faucets. “When a rag is left under a faucet,” Nichols states, “the drip puts out a constant drip of chlorinated water. Since it’s a steady drip, it will not dilute and will bleach the cloth.” Nichols emphasized that this issue is not unique to Moulton — similar complaints have been reported across the country, as detergent formulas and washing machine designs have changed nationwide.

Toward the end of the tour, Nichols tackled another common rumor — that the plant is run without certified operators. “Hogwash,” he said bluntly. “Every operator has to be licensed, and our licenses have to be posted for the state to see. And trust me — if we mess something up, we’re the ones who get fined or fired, not the city.”

Nichols also shared concerns about operator shortages statewide, a problem he says is looming over Alabama. He warned that if more people don’t enter the field, cities could start facing slower repairs, delays in water testing, and hiring difficulties. "It could be a challenge to find certified operators," he said. “This is a good-paying job, and licenses here can transfer to most states — but hardly anyone wants to take the test. It’s tough. Chemistry, biology, physics, pneumatics (air-powered machinery and systems)... it’s all in there.”

As for long-standing issues with water pressure, leaks, and billing? Nichols was candid. He acknowledged city infrastructure problems, but praised improvements under the current city public works crew. “They’ve cut down our leaks big time.”

And for those wondering about the infamous algae issue in past years, Nichols said copper sulfate treatments — now applied from a pontoon boat he outfitted himself — have made a huge difference. Copper sulfate helps kill algae, which in turn eliminates musty odors in drinking water. “We’ve kept it under control. It can come back, but now we know how to handle it.”

Nichols also shared that the department was recently awarded over a million dollars in a lawsuit related to PFOS contamination — a chemical used in firefighting foam that can enter water sources through runoff. After legal fees, the plant will receive around $580,000 in funding, which Nichols said will go toward major updates: finishing a flocculator upgrade, replacing filter materials, repairing basin walls, and installing a granular activated carbon (GAC) filter. The GAC system — essentially a large tank filled with carbon that acts like a sponge — is designed to remove trace contaminants like PFOS entirely from the drinking water. PFOS are used in products like nonstick pans and water-resistant clothing and have been linked to potential health risks when consumed over time. Removing them helps ensure long-term safety, especially as testing methods become more precise and standards tighten nationwide. PFOS are known as 'forever chemicals' because they don’t break down easily in nature, and removing them is a top priority for long-term water safety.

He also noted recent changes to wholesale water rates with West Lawrence Water Co-Op. After conducting a third-party rate study, the city initially raised the rate to $3.35 per 1,000 gallons. Following arbitration, the two parties agreed to a new five-year contract at a reduced rate of $2.75 per 1,000 gallons, with a 4% annual increase — matching the rate changes individual households see each year.

The full tour was a masterclass in water treatment and community accountability. And if there’s one thing Stanley Nichols made clear: “This job matters — because clean water ain’t something you can afford to mess up.”