Water is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, transparent chemical compound. It is impure in its natural sources and needs to go through a purification process in the water treatment plant before it can be suitable for consumption. A clean water supply in our built environment improves our health and our well-being.
Consumption of unclean water causes water borne diseases such as malaria, typhoid, cholera, dysentery etc.
Sources of water
The sources of water are rainwater, groundwater and surface water (river, lake, reservoir, stream, ocean etc.).
Water Treatment Process
Treatment of raw water is very important, this will make a clean water available for consumption
The basic steps involved in the water purification processes are
- Water collection;
- Water clarificationand disinfection;
- Water filtration;
- Water storage; and
- Water distribution.
Water Collection
Raw water containing both suspended and dissolved particles from water source is sent to the aeration tank.
An aeration tank is a water purification tank in the water treatment plant where sedimentation of water contaminants and water disinfection take place with addition of the right chemicals. In the aeration tank, iron and other impurities are removed from the water.
Surface water source containing large particles are first screened to prevent the particles from getting stuck in the water pumps before being sent to the aeration tank.
Water Clarification and Disinfection
Flocculant such as alum (aluminum sulfate) is added to the water, a chemical reaction occurs to form insoluble particles that settles at the bottom of the aeration tank.
Disinfection chemical (often chlorine) is added to kill microorganisms, bacteria and viruses present in the water.
Water Filtration
After clarification and disinfection, the water is passed through a filtration process. The filtration process removes color, taste and odor from the water and any other suspended particles. The most common filter is the sand filter. The sand filter contains sand, gravels and activated carbon as the media.
The filter is maintained by backwashing it.
Water Storage
Water storage is storing the filtered water that is clean and free from odor and taste.
Water Distribution
Water distribution is sending out the water to its users with the aid of plumbing system.
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Kazeem Olugbade, ProFM, is a facility management professional who has extensive knowledge and skills in the subject areas.
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