DRINKING WATER TREATMENT
A drinking water treatment plant purifies water obtained from natural sources (such as dams, lakes, rivers, or groundwater) to make it suitable for human consumption. In these plants, water undergoes physical, chemical, and biological processes to meet health standards.
Drinking Water Treatment Stages:
Pre-Treatment
- Screens and sieves: Large particles are retained.
- Aeration: Dissolved gases in the water are removed, and odors are eliminated.
2. Coagulation – Flocculation
- Small, suspended particles in the water are clumped together using chemical agents (e.g., alum).
3. Sedimentation:
- The clumped materials settle to the bottom and are separated from the water.
4. Filtration:
- The water passes through sand or activated carbon filters to remove remaining turbidity and microorganisms.
5. Disinfection:
- Remaining microbes in the water are killed using methods such as chlorination, ozonation, or UV treatment.
