DIKIO, ROBERT F. 3 rd Year FCM 3 Nov.

25, 2016

Methods of Water Sanitation

1. Sedimentation- A water treatment process by removal of undesirable small particulate suspended

matters such as sand, silt and clay and some biological contaminants from water under the influence of
gravity. It also improves the visual qualities of the water and increases its acceptance by consumers. The
longer the water is stored, the more the suspended solids and pathogens will settle to the bottom of the
container.

2. Coagulation-Flocculation- A water treatment technique by which a chemical is applied prior to

filtration and sedimentation to enhance the ability of treatment process to remove particles. Coagulation is
a process of neutralizing charges directed towards forming a gelatinous mass to trap particles that would be
large enough to be settled in the filter. Flocculation is a gentle stirring technique to encourage the particles
to aggregate into masses large enough to be filtered from the solution. Following coagulation, flocculation,
a gentle mixing stage, increases the particle size from submicroscopic microfloc to visible suspended
particles.

3. Filtration- A physical treatment process by removing impurities from water after the sedimentation
process through several layers of coarse-grained sand and gravel. Relatively large suspended particles get
stuck between the sand grains as they pass the filter medium known as mechanical straining. Smaller
particles adhere to the surface of the sand grains caused by the effect of the van der Waals forces known as
physical adsorption.

4. Disinfection- Process of inactivation of pathogens in water relating to the effect that the application of a
disinfectant has in destroying the cellular structure of the micro-organisms or in disrupting its metabolism,
biosynthesis or ability to grow or reproduce. Chlorination is the most common method used for
disinfecting of drinking water.

5. Water softening- A water treatment method based on ion exchange aiming to reduce calcium and
magnesium content. This is usually done with sulfonated polystyrene beds that are supersaturated with
sodium to cover the bed surface. As water passes through this resin bed, ions attach to the resin beads
releasing the loosely held solution into the water.

6. Activated Carbon Filter- A commonly used technology based on the adsorption of contaminants onto
the surface of a filter made of carbon particles. This method is effective in removing certain organics such as
unwanted taste and odors, micropollutants, chlorine, fluorine or radon from drinking water or wastewater.
However, it is not effective for microbial contaminants, metals, nitrates and other inorganic contaminants.

7. Reverse osmosis- a water purification technology process that removes large particles, salt, unwanted
chemicals, color and odors from drinking water using a semipermeable membrane. In a reverse osmosis
water filtration process, the water is moved from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower
concentration through the application pressure.

8. Aeration- A process of removing dissolved gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and to oxidize
dissolved metals such as iron by introducing small bubbles of air and letting it rise through the water. It is
accomplished by a scrubbing action caused by the turbulence of water and air mixing together.
9. Oxidation-filtration- A precipitative processes that is designed to remove naturally occurring iron,
manganese, and sulfides from water. The processes involve the oxidation of the soluble forms of these
contaminants to their insoluble forms and then removal by filtration of the precipitated particles.

10. Ultrafiltration- A kind of low-pressure membrane filtration process in which hydrostatic pressure
forces a liquid against a semipermeable membrane. Suspended solids and solutes of high molecular weight
are retained, while water and low molecular weight solutes pass through the membrane (typically with a
pore size of l 0.1to 0.01 micrometres).

11. Acid Neutralization- A water treatment method by increasing the pH of the acid waste by addition of
an alkaline reagent, to form a precipitate and collecting the precipitate. This way the incoming solution is
pH adjusted to the optimum range for precipitating metals as hydroxides. Neutralizing filters are commonly
used to as a treatment device that raises the pH of water by adding a neutralizing material.

12. Desalination- The chemical process of changing seawater into potable or fresh water by removing
excess salts and other minerals from water. Thermal distillation and membrane processes are the two main
approaches used around the world to desalinise water.

Excreta Disposal without Water Carriage

1. Straddle Trench- A straddle trench latrine is dug 1 foot wide, 2-1/2 feet deep, and 4
feet long. This will accommodate two men at the same time. The trenches should be
at least two feet apart. There are no seats in this type of latrine, but boards may be
placed along both sides of the trench to provide better footing. The earth removed in
digging is piled at the end of the trenches and a shovel or paddle is provided

2. Sanitary Pit Privy

A. Pit type- a pit is dug to a depth of four to six feet and large enough to take
care of waste for several years about 50 cubic feet. Bamboo, wood, bricks, hollow blocks,
and empty drums may be used to case the pit. A vent is provided with fly screen

B. Antipolo type- The Antipolo system consists of a pit at least 4-feet 8-inches
deep. The pit is tightly capped with a slab of either concrete or stone. A large pipe runs
through the slab from a toilet seat on top to the pit below. This is a pit privy in which
the superstructure is a constructed to provide the necessary privacy and protection
from the rain and sun.
 C. Vault type- Type of sanitary privy which is commonly used when night soil
is collected for agriculture purposes. The waste collecting vault is located just below
the hole. These vaults are installed just below ground level and constructed of
reinforced concrete.

3. Bored-Hole Latrine- Deep holes bored into the earth with manual or
mechanical earth boring equipment. The hole is provided at the top with a cover.
Foot rest is sometimes provided to facilitate squatting.

4. Water-sealed Latrine- A pit privy modified to include a bowl made of durable

material with a P or S shaped trap which forms a water seal when water is added.
Water is used for cleaning and about 2-3 liters of water is used for flushing the
content.

5. Chemical Toilet- adapts the principle of liquefaction of organic matter causing

caustic soda to liquefy the fecal material and destroy bacteria.

6. Pail System- the principle of this privy is the use of a watertight container
such as a bucket or pail to which the user would defecate, was removed and
emptied in a sanitary manner on a regular basis.
 Excreta Disposal with Water Carriage

1. Septic Toilet- A water flushed toilet into which fecal and urine material is flushed
directly to a pit or through a pipe to a pit or sewer. Water may be poured from a bucket
or from a cistern.

2. Septic Tank System- A septic tank is a water tight receptacle which

receives the discharge of a plumbing system or part thereof, and is designed
to accomplish the partial removal and digestion of the suspended solid
matter in the sewage through a period of detention. The sewage treatment
by the bacteria turns the waste matter into effluent (wastewater) and a solid
substance called sludge. The effluent gets carried to the leach drain, French
drain or lagoon.

3. Imhoff Tank- A primary treatment system that utilizes the force of gravity
to separate solids from wastewater, a process known as primary
sedimentation. These solids are then degraded under anaerobic digestion
within a lower chamber of the tank prior to sludge disposal. Imhoff tanks are
often characterized as two-storey tanks that provide for sedimentation
processes to occur in the upper storey and anaerobic digestion of settled
particles in the lower storey.