Water purification

Water purification is a
process of removing
undesirable chemicals,
materials, and
biological contaminants
from contaminated
water.
Methods used in water purification

physical processes such as filtration and

sedimentation
biological processes such as slow sand filters or
activated sludge
chemical processes such as flocculation and
chlorination
the use of electromagnetic radiation such as
ultraviolet light.
Steps in water purification
Ground water Surface water

-Chemically stable -Prone to chemical and

-Microbiologically clean microbiological pollution
-Fe, Mn

1. Aeration 1. Coagulation
Fe 2+ Fe 3+ -Adding Al2(SO4)3
- floc
2. Retention 2. Sedimentation
- 15-30 min

3. Filtration 3. Filtration
- Mn layer (black) - Microbiological layer

4. Disinfection 4. Disinfection
Water is disinfected to kill any pathogens which
pass through the filters. Possible pathogens
include viruses, bacteria, including Escherichia
coli, Campylobacter and Shigella, and protozoa,
including Giardia lamblia and other cryptosporidia
 Water disinfection
PHYSICAL METHODS
- Boiling water
- UV radiation
CHEMICAL METHODS
- Cl2
- O3
- KMnO4
- Halogens: Br, I, F
 Boiling water

70°C for 30
minutes
100°C for 10
minutes
 UV radiation
This process is effective in certain small water
supplies where the water is highly polished i.e.,
filtered and demineralised. It is also used in
industries.
Water free of turbidity and colorless
UV-C radiation of wavelength 240 to 280
nanometers
Destroys bacteria and even parasites such as
Cryptosporidia and Giardia
 Cl2 as disinfectant
It can be used in several
forms:
As a gas
In solution
In solid form
Chlorine dioxide
 Cl2 as disinfectant
greatly reduced the prevalence of waterborne
diseases
effective against almost all bacteria, viruses as
well as amoeba
It is used for the deactivation of pathogens in
drinking water, swimming pool water and
wastewater, for the disinfection of household
areas and for textile bleaching
 Cl2 as disinfectant
helps remove tastes and odors
controls the growth of slime and algae in main
pipes and storage tanks
helps remove unwanted nitrogen compounds from
water
Advantages: very stable, low cost, residual level
of Cl2 keeps water clean for longer period of time
Disadvantages: cancerogenic
 O3
high oxidation potential
bacterial cell wall disintegration
 Disadvantages of O3
Very explosive
Evaporates quickly i.e. doesn’t produce a
disinfection residual that would prevent bacterial
regrowth
More expensive then chlorination
Forms nitric oxides and nitric acid which could
lead to corrosion