Water Purification Techniques

The importance of having clean water to drink and bathe in is undeniable. If water is not properly cleaned before it reaches the homes of the general public, those who use the unclean water can develop various illnesses. There are a variety of techniques necessary to ensure that water is as clean as possible.

Filtration

• Many different particles of various substances can be found in unclean water. Therefore, the first step in the water purification process is for the water to undergo various filtration methods. The filtration equipment itself consists of a tank, the filter, and a controller to maintain a certain amount of water.

  Screens are a common part of the filtration process, and the size of the screens depends on how big the particles in the water are. Although various kinds of sand particles can be found in unclean water, sand itself is often used in the filtration process to get rid of suspended solids that are sometimes found in unclean water.

Chemicals

• Once the water has made it through the filtration process, the next step is to add chemicals to the water. The kinds of chemicals are used vary in accordance with how dirty the water is. Chelating agents are used to counteract the effects of calcium and magnesium. Reducing agents are used to neutralize substances such as chlorine. To neutralize the effects of various reducing agents, oxidizing agents might also be used.

Getting Rid of Suspended Solids

• Sometimes, the suspended solids cannot be adequately removed through the above processes, so it becomes necessary to use clarification. During this process, coagulants are added to the water to turn the ions that are present into large particles that are known as flocs. The flocs are then gradually removed as the water passes through a water filter.

Softening

• For any magnesium or calcium ionized substances that are still present in the water, softening (which sometimes is preceded by deionization) is needed. In this process, the ionized substances are removed and replaced by sodium, which is a positive ion substance.

Disinfection

• This is considered the most important part of the water purification process. It is during this step that harmful microorganisms in the water are eradicated. Ozone is often used to disinfect water because the additional atom of oxygen present uses oxidation to destroy the viruses, odors or bacteria in the water. Also, ultraviolet radiation (such as that found in sunlight) is sometimes used for disinfection, because germs are exposed to sunlight are killed.

Adjusting the pH

• This technique is done to make sure that water pipes do not rust and thus pass lead into the water. The pH becomes balanced through the addition of either natrium hydroxide or hydrogen chloride. It definitely takes many techniques to make sure that water is clean, but clean water means healthy people.