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Water Purification
Poor water quality leads to the need for water purification. In developed countries good drinking water is taken for granted. But in developing countries, good water is a rare resource. Using different combinations of water filters and purification steps will help the people in those countries enjoy the water quality we have regularly. Of course, it can be argued that the water we drink in developed countries could be cleaner too, making water purification at the tap important too.
Water purification is an issue that is very important all over the world. Water sources all around the world have contaminants in them, which makes water purification essential for people to have water that is safe enough to drink. There are many different water purification methods, from large-scale water treatment plants to smaller home water purification systems, but for most people the large-scale water purification is what they are concerned with. By learning more about the different ways that water is cleaned and purified for our use, we can become more appreciative of how much effort is put into keeping our water safe. This, in turn, can help to make us more water conscious.
Water purification is not a "one size fits all" business. The way that water is purified depends upon the contaminants that are in the water. That is why it is so important that research is completed on water sources to make sure that all of the different water contaminants are addressed when purifying the water. Different chemical treatments are used to treat different contaminants, including bacteria, pathogens, etc., so it is important that testing be done on the water source.
Water treatment plants purify the water through several different methods. Here is a listing of some of the different ways that water is purified.
- Pre-treatment
This is the first thing that most water treatment plants do. This involves a filter system, screening system, pre-chlorination, pre-conditioning, and a holding system, which allows natural biological purification to occur. The water purification plant may use one, several, or all of these pre-treatment methods. - Clarification
This is the process of getting any solids out of the water, as well as any micro-organisms, inorganic, and organic materials. - pH adjustment
pH is adjusted, making it more acidic or basic, depending on the mineral content of the water, as needed by using different treatments. - Coagulation
This is a treatment where chemicals are used to help bind materials together in the water so that they can be filtered out. - Sedimentation
In this process, the water sits in a basin long enough to allow the particles of contaminants to settle to the bottom. Contaminants often also settle out from the water. - Filtration
This treatment method can use several different filters to help remove particulates and odors from the water. Some of the possible filters include sand, charcoal, and pressure filters. They are used in conjunction with each other to help get the water as clean and clear as possible. - Disinfection
In this stage of water purification, chemicals are used to further clean and disinfect the water. Chlorine, ozone, chloramines, and UV radiation are used to remove pathogens from the water. This treatment normally includes a time of storage to help give the chemicals time to work on the water before it is further treated. - Additional treatments
There are additional treatments that may be done to the water, depending upon where you live. These may include adding or removing fluoride, conditioning hard water, and radium removal. This is where the water source that is being cleaned is taken into consideration. Depending upon what is in or not in the water, the water purification plant determines what additional treatments need to be completed.
Water purification is very important. Without it, we would be left with undrinkable and unusable water. In fact, water quality in much of the world makes in unsafe for drinking. Our lives would be very different without the many water purification plants across our country. Water purification needs to be used in developing countries, as it is here, to improve the health and quality of life if the people living there. Water conservation is part of the answer to having good water, but there is more to the equation. That's where water purification comes in -- to fix the contamination that's present throughout the world.
