Water Refinement

Water treatment is any process that improves the quality of water to make it more acceptable for a specific end-use. The end use may be drinking, industrial water supply, irrigation, river flow maintenance, water recreation or many other uses, including being safely returned to the environment. Water treatment removes contaminants and undesirable components, or reduces their concentration so that the water becomes fit for its desired end-use.

Processes

• A combination selected from the following processes is used for municipal drinking water treatment worldwide:
• Pre-chlorination for algae control and arresting biological growth
• Aeration along with pre-chlorination for removal of dissolved iron when present with small amounts relatively of manganese
• Coagulation for flocculation or slow-sand filtration
• Coagulant aids, also known as polyelectrolytes – to improve coagulation and for more robust floc formation
• Sedimentation for solids separation that is the removal of suspended solids trapped in the floc
• Filtration to remove particles from water either by passage through a sand bed that can be washed and reused or by passage through a purpose designed filter that may be washable.
• Disinfection for killing bacteria viruses and other pathogens.

Flash Flood Safety for Homeowners

• If you live in a flood prone area have an evacuation plan.
• Store materials like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber for protection from floodwaters and to make quick repairs after a severe storm.
• Store materials above flood levels.
• Secure wanted objects to prevent them from floating away.
• Learn where to find high ground, which is safe from flooding. In a flash flood seek high ground quickly.
• Contact an insurance agent to discuss flood insurance coverage. Flood losses are not covered under normal homeowners' insurance policies. Flood insurance is available through the National Flood
• Insurance Program. Get coverage early-there is a waiting period before it takes effect.

Necessity of water Refinement

Water that is used for drinking water production contains water molecules and a large variety of other substances. One of the properties of water is that it easily dissolves other susbtances. Water that falls to earth during rain showers dissolves substances, particles and gasses such as oxygen, which can be found in air. Contaminants that are present in air also dissolve in rain water. When surface water flows on earth it also dissolves several different substances, such as sand particles, organic matter, microorganismss and minerals. Water that settles into the ground and becomes groundwater often contains large amounts of dissolved minerals, as a result of contact with soils and rocks. Human activities, such as agriculture and industrial waste and sewer water discharge cause a number of pollutants to enter the water.

Self-cleansing capacity of water

Water has the capacity to cleanse itself. Contaminants are removed from water during biological processes. When water settles onto the ground, groundlayers will cause filtration to occur. Contaminants are broken down, or will stay behind in the ground layer. The self-cleansing capacity of water is not strong enough to produce clean drinking water. This is a consequence of the quantity and variety of industrial and agricultural contaminants that have entered surface and groundwater for many decades. In the 1970’s it was discovered that industrial discharges and waste water discharges were the cause of water contamination. Immediately after this discovery measures were taken to prevent water pollution. Waste water must meet legal standard before it can be discharged. To meet the standards water is purified before it is discharged.