Clean Water

Keywords

Purification - the process to clean dirty water

Contaminated - when water contains substances or germs that make it unsafe to drink

Why we need clean water

People, animals and plants need a clean supply of water to survive. People can die if they do
not drink clean water.

When water has been cleaned, the water has been purified. Water purification is a process
whereby germs and harmful substances of the dirty water are removed so that people can drink
it.

Water might look clean when you look at it but it can contain dangerous germs, viruses and
parasites that we cannot see without a microscope and these organisms can make you
extremely ill.

There are many people in our country that do not have access to clean water. Often they collect
their water from a contaminated water source close to their homes such as rivers or bore
holes. Water from these sources must be cleaned before it is safe to drink.

Process to clean water

Sieving – dirty water that contains substances like dirty and rocks can be separated from the
water with a sieve. The will be cleaned by only letting the water through and keeping the larger
substances behind. The smaller the holes of the sieve are the cleaner the water will be but this
does not mean it will be safe to drink as germs are small enough to pass through the sieve.

Filtering – to separate bigger pieces of dirt, gravel and sand from dirty water a cloth is placed
over a container and the dirty water is poured through the cloth however the water will still not
be safe to drink because it will still contain germs.

Settling – if dirty water stands for a time the different substances start to separate. Heavier,
solid substances start to drop to the bottom of the container and the liquid part floats on top of it.
Some cultures add crushed seed to help the water to settle faster as the substances cling to the
crushed seeds and drop to the bottom quicker but the water may still not be safe to drink.

Decanting – after the water has settled the container must be handled carefully otherwise the
dirt may mix with the water again. To remove the water from the container, container must be
tilted at an angle and poured carefully into another container without disturbing the settled
substances but the water may still not be safe to drink.

Boiling – when heat is added to the water it will eventually reach boiling point (1000C). By
boiling the water it is being purified and any germ and parasites that was in the water would be
killed. Boiling will kill any small organisms in the water however boiling water takes a long time
to cool down

Adding chemicals to kill germs – when all dirty and substances have been removed from the
water only the germs remain. Special components are used to kill the germs this is known as
chemicals. The most common chemical used to kill and remove germs in water is CHLORINE.
Adding the right amount of chlorine to water will purify the enough for people to drink it.

How municipalities clean water

Municipalities must have proper purification methods in place to provide clean water from
people to use.

At purification stations

1. Dirty water passes through metal screens to trap large objects in the water

2. After, the water passes into a spiral funnel where minerals are added to the water to give it a
soapy feel and taste. Water spirals down into a container however, smaller substances stick
to the funnel’s sides.

3. At this point water still contains muddy substances called sludge. The sludge will slowly
settle at the bottom of the container

4. Air is bubbled into the water to make it taste and feel better

5. Sand filter are used to clean out the remaining dirt and germs

6. Chlorine is added in the final process of the purification but is only effective for a short time.
The substance chloramine (chlorine and ammonia) is added to the water at regular intervals
to kill any germs that might have entered the water.
Activity

1. Why is it important that organisms have a clean supply of water?

2. Name the process water needs to be safe for consumption?

3. In your own words define what is contaminated water?

4. Name purifying process that uses seed to help to clean water?

5. What is the function of these seeds?

6. What is water still unsafe for drinking after it has been sieved?

7. What is the difference between sieving and filtering?

8. Why must decanting be done carefully?

9. State the benefit of boiling water.

10. What is the disadvantage of boiling water?

11. Name the chemical added to purify water?

12. Why is this chemical used in the purification of water?

13. Why is it so important that chloramine is added to clean water on a regular basis?

14. What is done to make water taste better?

15. Explain what sludge is.