Water treatment
Water treatment is the process of removing contaminants from water.
The Water treatment can be done by a number of different processes, including physical, chemical and biological.
Water treatment is a necessity for life but it can also be very dangerous if it contains too many pollutants. Pollutants can come from many different sources and they all have their own effects on the human body. For example, lead poisoning can cause brain damage and death while arsenic poisoning will cause severe nausea and vomiting.
To reduce the risk of these dangers, we need to filter out the contaminants that are in our water supply before we drink them. We use a number of different methods to do this including chemical treatments, physical treatments and biological treatments. The microbiological method is the process of removing contaminants from water by applying living microorganisms. The organisms consume the contaminants and release chemicals that are toxic to any living thing. Different types of microorganisms are used for different types of water treatment.
Examples of some common organisms that are used are: "Bacillus subtilis", "Bacillus co agulans", "Staphylococcus epidermidis", "Escherichia coli" and "Zygosaccharomyces bailii". The chemicals produced by the microorganisms also change the pH level of the water. The methods used to remove contaminants from water are:Chemical treatments, physical treatments and biological treatments. Water treatment is the process of removing undesirable substances from water, usually by chemical or biological processes.
Types of water treatment
Water treatment is the process of removing unwanted substances, such as chemical pollutants and dissolved solids, from water. The most common method for potable water treatment is a multi-step process called coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation. .Coagulation and flocculation use coagulation and flocculation chemicals such as alum or silica to cause the suspended particles in water to clump together, which is then removed by sedimentation.Water can be treated using a number of different chemicals, or it can be filtered through natural means, such as porous materials like sand. A common process is to add a granular material such as sand or diatomaceous earth to filter out the water.
Water treatment is primarily for disinfection, but can also be used for removal of other unwanted substances, depending on the type and volume of water being treated.
Water treatment can be broadly categorized into four general types:
-Physical processes
-Chemical processes
-Biological processes
-A combination of physical and chemical treatments.
Water treatment usually starts with the removal of large particles and suspended solids. It can be achieved by sedimentation, filtration, or a combination of both.
Sedimentation is the process in which particles are separated from water by gravity.
Filters are made from materials such as sand and ceramic.