A common saying states that “water is life.” That is so true, considering the many benefits that such a liquid has in your body. However, you need to understand the main advantages of consuming treated water. That is why different companies focus on purchasing a marine water filter to ensure that you consume the right product. In this article, you should equip yourself with the stages that water goes through during its treatment process. Read on to understand better.
The Steps
Coagulation and Flocculation
This is a slow process whereby the water is mixed with positively charged chemicals to neutralize all the negative charges held by various particles. The chemicals used here include ferric sulfate, aluminum sulfate, and polyaluminum chloride, while the particles include sand, clay, and dirt.
Sedimentation
This is where the sediments are collected at the bottom of the container after surrendering to the force of gravity. This is made more effective by coagulation, which increases the particles’ size and weight to make them sink faster.
Filtration
After sedimentation, the clear water can now be collected for further treatment. Filtration is essential because it helps get rid of the remaining small particles, including viruses, bacteria, and dust, from the water. You would be surprised to know that slow sand filtration is a process that has been there for decades. It plays a vital role in clearing bacteria that causes gastrointestinal disorders. On the flip side, rapid sand filtration is common in well-up countries that can afford the required equipment. It is cost-intensive and requires power-operated pumps, skilled personnel, continuous energy, and regular cleaning.
Disinfection
A disinfectant, such as chloramine or chlorine, is added to the water at this final stage. The main reason for this procedure is to oxidize and kill organic matter that may remain in the water, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
It is essential to understand what happens in a water treatment plant to know how safe for human consumption the water you take is. The above-discussed points paint a clear picture of the water treatment process.