According to the UN SDG 6, clean water for all is key to the sustenance of life. Unfortunately, most of the water around is contaminated. It, therefore, needs to be purified to be adjudged fit for human consumption. Water purification removes biological contaminants, chemical compounds, organic and inorganic materials from water. The result is clean water that is safe to drink and free from diseases.
Below is a 7-step water purification process.
1. Coagulation and ION Exchange
This step ensures the removal of unwanted minerals such as heavy metals like iron found in hard water. To form flocs, alum and chemicals are added to the water. The flocs attract the dirt particles, compelling them to move downwards. After a while, they settle at the bottom of the tank.
2. Sedimentation
After the completion of ion exchange and coagulation process, the formed floc together with water passes through a second step process of sedimentation. The floc moves to settle at the bottom when the water settles. To prevent equipment from contamination, sediment filters trap any dirt particle found in the water. You can visit Global Hydration for more insights and information.
3. Granular Activated Carbon and Filtration
Water filtration happens during this stage. The water passes through charcoal and layers of sand. Particles that had remained after the sedimentation process are removed. Herbicides, chlorine and other pollutants are removed from the water through carbon filtration.
4. Disinfection
To disinfect the water, move water into a closed tank with ultraviolet lights that act as a sterilizing agent. Even if the water is stored underground, the disinfection process kills all microorganisms to purify the water. After disinfecting it, water flows via the pipes in a reverse osmosis process.
5. Carbon Filters
During this stage, filters arrest the impurities in the water. The reverse osmosis (RO) machine is protected by eliminating contaminants, leaving only clean water to enter the system.
6. Reverse Osmosis
When water is supplied to homes, it has to be taken through a purification process known as reverse osmosis. To remove any impurities that could be present in the water, a semi-permeable membrane is used. All contaminants that could have dissolved or left out during the last stages are eliminated at this stage. A water sweetener is added to the water during this last stage of the purification process.
7. The Purified Water is Stored
At this stage, the water has undergone all the above stages to remove impurities and contaminants. It is now safe for consumption. Keep it in a clean place to ensure the chemical compounds, biological contaminants, organic and inorganic materials removed through the water purification process do not get into the water again.
The purification process ensures water is clean and safe for drinking. Make sure all the procedures are systematically followed since skipping any of the processes could lead to contamination. Consuming contaminated water endangers one’s health and could result in the spread of waterborne diseases. It is important to store your water in a safe place after purifying it, otherwise, it makes little sense to purify water only to expose it to secondary contamination.
