Having a sustainable clean water system is vital to maintaining public health. Over the years, the science behind treatment plants has drastically evolved, and various technologies have revamped the process of ensuring safe and potable drinking water from industrial treatment plans.
Interestingly, water treatment solutions come from six distinct methods, which ensure that the end-water product is potable for use.
Here is a list of the water processing methods:
Pre-chlorination
Adding ideal amounts of chlorine based on the pre-calculated chemical levels is the initial step to ensuring that no bacteria gets to live in the water. Furthermore, the pre-chlorination phase ensures that the water treated is free from particulates and other harmful substances like iron and manganese. It also ensures that any odour, colour, and alga formation are controlled within an acceptable range.
Aeration
Aeration is a water treatment process of removing dissolved gases and other oxidised compounds and metals from the water. In this phase, oxygen is added into the water to help maintain a neutral tone and remove hydrogen sulphide, iron, and other harmful organic chemicals found in non-treated water.
Coagulation
The use of electrostatic charges to destabilise solid compounds found in water is one of the distinct ways that water gets treated. In this step, the water is freed from the contaminating effects of potential aggregates and compounds, which are not easily filtered through the previous steps.
Coagulation is important as it maintains water integrity and quality before it is finally treated into the later stages. Moreover, coagulation helps remove oily materials that are suspended on the surface of the water.
Sedimentation
You may often hear of this term now and then, but sedimentation in treatment plants refers to settling water particles at the bottom of the water. In this way, the sludge formed from the accumulation of particulates at the bottom side of the water can easily be filtered out and can be removed by additional water filtering processes.
What makes sedimentation effective is that it utilises gravity and allows particles to suspend on their own or through the assistance of a centrifuge device. As a result, it makes it easier for treatment plants to separate toxic particles from the water.
Filtration
Filtration is the process of removing any particulates and residual substances from the water by using a medium. Nowadays, different filter mechanisms can be effectively utilised to purify water. This may include industrial skimmers or coffee filters. On the other hand, a slow sand filter can also be used to naturally filter particles.
Disinfection
The last step of the water treatment process is called disinfection. In this phase, water is poured with an antimicrobial agent to help neutralise any remaining microorganisms which may have survived the initial steps.
In this process, oxidising agents that can help fend off algae growth and pathogenic consolidation are added. Chlorine-based compounds are also to help fend off succeeding microbial growth.
For most parts, disinfection includes exposing the water to extreme pressures and unveiling it close to high temperatures or even to the ultraviolet rays.
Water is treated by exposing it to a variety of steps and processes which can help filter out microorganisms and other harmful particulates. Through the process of pre-chlorination, water is then treated with the final steps of filtration and disinfection. This ensures that the water is free of contaminants and is safe for consumption.
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