Knowra Drinking water treatment Drinking water treatment Drinking water treatment uses physical, chemical, and biological processes to remove or inactivate contaminants before water is supplied for human consumption.
Coagulation and flocculation : Water-treatment steps that destabilize fine particles and gather them into larger clumps called flocs. These steps make small suspended particles easier to remove in later treatment.
Drinking water quality : The chemical, physical, and microbiological condition of water intended for human consumption. Treatment is designed to bring source water within defined quality limits.
Groundwater treatment : Treatment of water drawn from underground aquifers for use, including as drinking water. Groundwater often needs a different treatment train from surface water.
Water chlorination : Disinfection of water using chlorine or chlorine compounds. Chlorination can leave a disinfectant residual that protects water in distribution.
Conventional water treatment : A treatment sequence commonly combining coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection. It is the standard multi-step approach against which newer treatment trains are often compared.
Sedimentation : A separation process in which suspended particles settle under gravity. Settling removes flocs formed during coagulation before water reaches filters.
Waterborne disease : Illness caused by pathogens transmitted through contaminated water. Preventing waterborne disease is a central reason for treating drinking water.
Surface water treatment : Treatment of water from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs before use, including as drinking water. Surface sources commonly require particle removal and robust pathogen control.
Disinfection byproduct : A chemical formed when disinfectants react with substances in water. Disinfection can create byproducts that utilities must monitor and limit.
Slow sand filtration : A filtration method in which water moves slowly through fine sand and a biologically active surface layer. It contrasts with rapid sand filtration in speed, operation, and reliance on biological activity.
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