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Top 7 Methods of Water Treatment

November 7, 2015 / in Blog /

By nature, water is known to be pure as it is composed of strongly bonded atoms of hydrogen and oxygen. However,
the water supply across the globe has to share space with other things such as organic materials, minerals, chemicals
and manmade pollutants. This brings about an undrinkable solution, since it can contain deadly bacteria and viruses,
among other disease-causing agents. Luckily, mankind was able to develop di erent water treatment methods to
allow our water supply to be safe to drink. While there are some methods that are not e ective on a larger scale, all
of them make untreated water potable for human consumption.

The process of treating water may have slight di erences at various locations, based on the plant’s technology as well
as the type of water that needs to be treated. Nevertheless, the basic principals are the same. The following section
talks about the standard processes of water treatment.

Coagulation / Flocculation
Coagulation is adding liquid aluminum sulfate or alum and/or polymer to raw or untreated water. The resulting
mixture causes the dirt particles in the water to coagulate or stick together. Then, the groups of dirt particles attach
together, forming larger particles named ocs that can easily be removed via ltration or settling.

Sedimentation
When water and ocs undergo the treatment process, they go into sedimentation basins. Here, water moves slowly,
making the heavy oc particles settle to the bottom. Floc that accumulates on the bottom is known as sludge. This is
carried on to drying lagoons. Direct Filtration does not include the sedimentation step and the oc is just removed by
ltration.

Filtration
In ltration, water passes through a lter, which is made to take away particles from the water. Such lters are
composed of gravel and sand or sometimes crushed anthracite. Filtration gathers together impurities that oat on
water and boosts the e ectiveness of disinfection. Filters are regularly cleaned by means of backwashing.

Disinfection
Before water goes into the distribution system, it is disinfected to get rid of disease-causing bacteria, parasites and
viruses. Chlorine is also applied since it is very e ective.

Sludge Drying
Solids that have been gathered and removed from water via sedimentation and ltration are transferred to drying
lagoons.

Fluoridation
Fluoridation treats water supplies of communities to adjust the concentration of free uoride ions to an optimal level
so that dental cavities can be reduced. It is compulsory for Hunter Water to perform water uoridation to conform to
the NSW Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957.

pH Correction
To adjust pH levels, lime is combined with ltered water. This, also, stabilizes naturally soft water so corrosion can be
minimized in the water distribution system and plumbing of customers.

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