Answers to Review Questions

1) Name and describe three (3) ways of making water safe for drinking.

Our human body can survive for more than three weeks without food- but water is a
different story. The human body is made up of at least 60% of water and every living
cell in the body needs it to keep functioning. This is why the water we consume must
always be safe from bacteria and germs. There are a lot of ways to purify the water
we drink and some of these ways are as follows:
a. Boiling
Boiling water is the cheapest and safest method of water purification. Water sources and
or channels of distribution may render your water unsafe. For example, parasites and
germs are things you may not see by bare eyes, but their effects can be life threatening.

In this method, clean water should be brought to boil and left at rolling-boil for 1-3
minutes. For people living in high altitude areas, it is recommended to boil your water for
longer than water boiled at lower altitudes. This is because water boils at lower
temperatures in higher altitudes. Boiled water should be covered and left to cool before
drinking. For water drawn from wells, leave it for compounds to settle before you filter
out clean water for use.

b. Distillation
Distillation is a water purification method that utilizes heat to collect pure water in the
form of vapor. This method is effective by the scientific fact that water has a lower
boiling point than other contaminants and disease-causing elements found in water.
Water is subjected to a heat source until it attains its boiling point. It is then left at the
boiling point until it vaporizes. This vapor is directed into a condenser to cool. Upon
cooling, vapor is reversed into liquid water that is clean and safe for drinking. Other
substances that have a higher boiling point are left as sediments in the container.

This method is effective in removing bacteria, germs, salts and other heavy metals such
as lead, mercury and arsenic. Distillation is ideal for people who have access to raw,
untreated water. This method has both advantages and disadvantages. A notable
disadvantage is that it is a slow process of water purification. In addition, it requires a
heat source for the purification to work. Although cheap sources of energy are being
developed, distillation remains a costly process of purifying water. It is only ideal
(effective and least costly) when purifying small quantities of water (It is not ideal for
large scale, commercial or industrial purification).

c. Chlorination
Chlorine is a powerful chemical that has been in use for many years to treat water for
home consumption. Chlorine is an effective water purification method that kills germs,
parasites and other disease-causing organisms found in ground or tap water. Water can be
purified using chlorine tablets or liquid chlorine. As an off-the-shelf water purification
product, chlorine is cheap and effective. However, caution should be taken when using
chlorine liquid or tablets to treat drinking water. For example, people suffering from
thyroid problems should talk to a medical practitioner before using this product. When
using chlorine tablets, it is important to apply them in heated water, as they dissolve well
in water that is at 21 degree Celsius or higher. Chlorine tablets kill all bacteria leaving
your water clean and safe.

Source: https://www.schultzsoftwater.com/blog/4-methods-to-purify-your-water

2) What kind of water must be used for the following purposes and why?

a. Medical preparations
Distilled water, or pure water as some may call it, is water that has gone through a
distillation process in which water is boiled and the resulting steam is then condensed
into a clean container. This process eliminates the impurities in the water, leaving
only water in its purest form. It is why stilled water is the best-suited kind of water in
medical preparations. Hospitals use distilled water to prepare food for their patients
and sterilize materials. Surgeons use distilled water during medical procedures.
Source: http://all-about-water-filters.com/medical-uses-distilled-water/

b. Industrial purposes

c. Household purposes
Tap water is the water that you get directly from your faucet, it may or may not be
suited for drinking purposes. It is widely used for household chores such as cleaning,
cooking, gardening and washing clothes for it is cheap and easily accessible. It must
meet the regulations set by the local Municipal bodies.
Source: https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/types-of-water-7-different-types-of-waters-
and-their-purposes-1770281
d. Chemical Analysis purposes
Deionized water (known as "DI water" in labs) is used in chemical analysis.
When performing analytical chemistry, you don't want your water contaminated with
the typical minerals you find in drinking water. It does not contain any other minerals
and is just pure H2O.
Source: https://answers.yahoo.com/question/indexqid=1006021808732
3) Distilled water has flat taste while drinking water has a pleasant taste. What gives
the taste of drinking water?

Pure drinking water does not have any taste. Chemically, the water
molecule is formed out of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Known as
H2O to scientists, water is odourless and tasteless in pure form. Apart from natural
minerals, our tap water may contain municipally added fluoride. Some countries
use chlorine to deal with the presence of bacteria in water. And in some places,
chlorine is substituted by ‘chloramine’ – a combination of chlorine and ammonia
that gives a better taste and smell to water than chlorine. Another very important
reason is the fact that things can readily dissolve in water. Water has the tendency
to dissolve numerous substances like salt, sugar, alkalis, acids and even some
gases such as ammonia, methane and carbon monoxide. Our tap water is treated
by water chemists; hence it has some taste because of the substances it contains.
Sometimes, it may come out with impurities that are dissolved in it such as
aluminum and iron and which may cause serious illnesses. Water with too many
impurities is not acceptable to the human body. So, whatever water we are
drinking, thought should be given to its taste and to the question of whether it is
pollution-free or not.
Source: https://scribol.com/lifestyle/food-and-drink/where-does-drinking-water-
get-its-taste/