Target 6.1 of the Sustainable Development Goals requires that everyone should have fair and equal access to drinking water that is both safe and cheap.
Drinking water from an improved water source located on the premises, available when needed, and free from contamination from feces and priority chemicals is the indicator used to monitor progress toward the goal of “safely managed drinking water services.” This indicator ensures that drinking water is provided in a sanitary manner.
At least two billion people throughout the world get their drinking water from a source that has been contaminated. The presence of microorganisms in drinking water as a direct consequence of contamination with feces is the source of the biggest threat to the safety of drinking water.
The availability of clean water in enough quantities makes it easier to practice good hygiene, which is an essential step for preventing not just acute respiratory infections and a variety of tropical illnesses that are often overlooked but also diarrhoeal disorders.
This post will help you understand the processes of how to produce clean drinking water for your whole family’s safety.
How can we produce clean water?
Around the globe, one person in ten does not have regular access to clean drinking water. Engineers from around the world have come up with a wide variety of machines, both bigger and smaller, that can purify water in an attempt to solve one of the most fundamental problems facing the humanitarian community.
Each year, plenty of other innovations aim to make the process simpler and less expensive, as well as outputs of producing drinking water high enough to make real impacts on the people who suffer from water shortages. One of the most important goals of these innovations is to provide clean drinking water to some of the people who suffer from water shortages.
The use of condensation techniques to extract water out of thin air, the conversion of salty salt water into fresh water, and the distribution of UV light purification chips that are inexpensive enough for individuals to use in their homes are all potential solutions.
What are the 5 stages of water treatment?
Several water treatment processes are utilized to ensure that the water distributed via public drinking water systems is fit for human use. The processes of coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection are often used in public water systems as part of an extensive treatment process for drinking water production.
1. Coagulation
The process of coagulation involves the addition of compounds to the water that has a positive charge. The positive charge cancels out the negative charge carried by the dirt and other particles that have dissolved in the water.
2. Flocculation
The removal of solids from water is accomplished by the flocculation process, which involves the formation of bigger clusters of solids known as flocs.
3. Sedimentation
One of the processes that water treatment facilities use to remove particles from water is called sedimentation.
4. Filtration
As soon as the flocs have reached the bottom of the water, the clear water that has risen to the surface is filtered so that any remaining particles may be removed from the water.
5. Disinfection
After the water filtration process, the water treatment facility may next chemical disinfectants to the water to eliminate any parasites, bacteria, or viruses that may still be present.
How many ways are there to purify water?
The process of purifying water involves the utilization of a variety of techniques, such as the following:
- Physical methods, such as filtration, sedimentation, or distillation;
- Biological techniques, such as sand filters and active carbon;
- Chemical methods, such as flocculation, chlorination, and the application of ultraviolet light
When it comes to the physical methods used in the water purification process, these various procedures are distinguished by the phenomena that they are founded on. For instance, filtration is based on separating solids from fluids by interposing a porous medium (a filter) that keeps the solid particles while allowing the liquid to pass on the opposite side of the medium. This allows for the separation of solids from fluids.
On the other hand, the sedimentation method uses the gravitational force that causes the solid particles to assemble a deposit at the bottom of the container with the contaminated water. Distillation, on the other hand, involves the transformation of the liquid phase (water) into a vapor phase, which is a process that is based on the disparity in the vaporization rates of the compounds.
One kind of biological method used in water purification is called a slow sand filter. These filters employ tubes one to two meters deep and are filled with sand; the sand traps any contaminants that are still present in the water after it has been filtered. Activated carbon, often known as charcoal, is a microporous form of carbon that has improved adsorption characteristics and a large surface area.
Regarding the process of water purification, the flocculation phenomenon can refer to the destabilization and coagulation of contaminants in the water. In scientific terms, flocculation is a process in which solids in suspension become destabilized after adding a clarifying agent.
Chlorination of water is a technique that is often used in the method of treating public water supplies. This technique involves the addition of chlorine or hypochlorite to the water to eliminate microorganisms and stop the spread of illnesses transmitted by water.
In the disinfection process, electromagnetic light, particularly light with a short wavelength (in the ultraviolet range), is frequently utilized. This is because electromagnetic light creates gaps in the structure of the nucleic acids of microorganisms, thereby rendering the cellular functions of the microorganisms inoperable.
5 Ways to Produce Clean Drinking Water
Assisting in the removal of potentially dangerous contaminants, purification of water may also enhance the flavor, odor, and overall look of the water that is used for drinking. The levels of chlorine, soil residue, and both organic and inorganic pollutants are lowered as a result of this.
The following are five methods that may be used to produce clean drinking water:
1. Prefiltration
- The removal of water from nearby bodies of water or the earth and its subsequent storage in reservoirs. Reservoirs are often the locations where natural processes such as aeration of groundwater and treatment of surface water take place.
- The rapid sand filtration method, or microfiltration in drum filters in specific circumstances.
2. The introduction of various substances
- adjusting the pH by adding calcium oxide and sodium hydroxide to the solution.
- The addition of FeCl3 to stimulate flocculation in order to facilitate the removal of humic acids and suspended particulate debris. After that, the flocs are allowed to settle and are then removed using lamellae separators. After that, the flocs are concentrated in the sludge, and then the sludge is pumped outside for the purpose of safely removing the particles and dewatering the sludge.
3. Natural Filtration
The following is a phase in the processing of drinking water that is unique to the Netherlands: The water is naturally purified by the process of infiltration in the sand dunes. This is not applicable in all areas. When the water reaches the saturated zone, which is where the groundwater is found, it will continue to go through the process of biological purification there. As soon as it is required for the processing of drinking water, it will be removed via the use of drains.
4. Sterile Conditions
In most cases, ozonation is recommended rather than other methods since, in addition to destroying bacteria and viruses, ozone also enhances the smell and taste of substances and degrades trace amounts of contaminants. Ozone travels through the water in the form of tiny bubbles and penetrates the cells of microorganisms by diffusing through the cell walls. Microorganisms are eliminated as a result of either disruption to their development or troubles with the respiratory activities and energy transfer processes inside their cells.
5. Fine Filtration
- Filtration through a slow bed of sand to remove any remaining turbidity and microorganisms that might be dangerous. Sand filters are given daily backwashing with a mixture of water and air.
- Filtration using active carbon removes further debris that affects flavor and odor, as well as any leftover micro contaminants. This occurs in a filter whenever water passes through a layer of granular activated carbon. Due to the sediment buildup, backwashing must be performed regularly, and reactivating an active carbon filter must be completed yearly.
To sum it up…
Water is essential to the functioning of numerous systems in your body. Water helps keep you hydrated, washes toxins out of your system, distributes nutrients throughout your body, and facilitates digestion. Headaches and a lack of focus are symptoms that may be brought on by dehydration. In fact, the degree to which you are hydrated significantly impacts your brain. In addition to that, water is a very crucial component in the process of elevating your energy levels. Because of this, drinking water consistently is of the utmost importance.
The spread of illnesses such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio may be attributed to contaminated water and the lack of proper sanitation. People are at risk for avoidable health problems when water and sanitation facilities either do not exist, are insufficient, or are not managed effectively.
Water is one of the most important resources necessary for people’s survival. It is essential to have ready access to a steady supply of clean drinking water to maintain your health and the state of your body. The purification of water is one method that may be used to guarantee the availability of potable water at all times.
You may visit https://packsbeverages.com/ for further elaboration if you want to know more about high-quality drinking water production.