Over the past few decades, companies have come up with water purification systems that are aimed at providing as much water to the public as possible. There are a large number of water-borne diseases that can come about due to the drinking of unpurified water. It is therefore important for water companies to come up with water purification systems to avoid spreading any form of diseases to their clients. Below are four methods that public drinking water systems use to treat water.
1. Filtration
Filtration is a method of water purification where multimedia filters are used to get rid of compounds in the water. The method incorporates both physical as well as chemical processes so as to purify water for human consumption. Large compounds, as well as small contaminants that cause diseases, are eliminated from the water through a simple filtration process. The fact that filtration does not remove all the mineral salts in the water makes it a very ideal means of water purification. The method incorporates a chemical process where the unwanted compounds in the water are effectively eliminated from the water without the water losing its rich minerals.
2. Distillation
Distillation is the process by which water is purified through the use of heat. Water is collected in the form of vapor in this process. This is considered to be a very effective method because water has a very low boiling point as compared to the other contaminants and elements that are found in water. Water is exposed to a heat source until it reaches its boiling point. The water is left at this heat level until all the water vaporizes and then directed to a condenser. When the water has already cooled, the vapor is now turned back into water that is safe for consumption by the public.
3. Chlorination
Over the years, chlorine has been used as a means of treating water. It is considered to be very effective due to its ability to kill germs, parasites and other micro-organisms that cause diseases. The water can be treated using liquid chlorine or using tablets. Treatment through the use of chlorine is considered to be one of the cheapest and most effective ways of treating water. Chlorine effectively kills all the germs and microorganisms in the water making it safe to drink and also it is quite cheap.
4. Ozone
Ozone is a gas that can react with organic molecules very rapidly. The gas has very short half-life when exposed to water which between 10 to 30 minutes. The ozone gas has to be generated at the site of purification due to its half-life. Ozone has to be used in conjunction with a disinfectant because the gas does not hold disinfectant properties. Ozone is used as a primary disinfectant in the purification process and then a second disinfectant has to be used to rid the water of all the contaminants completely.
