As the water becomes more alkaline, the zinc and copper precipitate out, like the standard lime treatment.

The lime treatment has been shown to make niacin nutritionally available and reduce the chance of developing pellagra.

Current annual costs of the lime treatment method employed by EPCOR cost the Province $1 million annually for centuries to come.

"Effect of Lime Treatment on in vitro Availability of Essential Amino Acids and Solubility of Protein Fracturing in Corn."