so, the levels of aluminum in the surface water here are unusually high as it is, no doubt due to the automotive industry as a primary source. but, then they bombard the water with aluminum to try to clean it up - and, i mean, it's not like i don't get it, but there ought to be something done to filter out the remaining aluminum after, and it seems like there really isn't.

so, you get the heightened background aluminum levels and the aluminum chloride they dump in the water to remove things like lead.

the idea is that the aluminum bonds to the heavier elements and falls to the bottom. fine. but, they're overdoing it in order for it to work. that's the process - you put too much in, and hope it sticks. so, there's necessarily a large excess.

you can get the free chloride ions out with a basic carbon filter. the aluminum requires reverse osmosis, which is a $20K+ system.

otherwise, i'd have to do crazy things like start playing with sulphuric acid.

ugh.