Lecture (8): Purification of groundwater,

surface water,
 Lecture (8): Purification of groundwater,
surface water,
Lecture (8): Lecture objectives:
By the end of this lecture students should be
able to:
1. To know the water treatment processes.
2. To know the water disinfection.
 Lecture (8): Purification of groundwater,
surface water,

The methods used for purifying water depend

on the volume and quality of the water to be
treated. Where underground supplies of good
quality are involved, simple treatment. Surface
supplies usually require more extensive
treatment, For some waters, additional
processes such as softening, activated carbon
filtration are employed. Where the local health
authority has requested it.
Treatment processes: (1) Storage:

Storage of polluted water in reservoirs has been a

recognized treatment process for many years. Because
of low nutrient levels and natural predation, during
long periods of storage pathogenic bacteria decay to
relatively low numbers. Suspended matter also settles
out-. A significant reduction in nitrate levels may occur
by the action of bottom muds (the benthic layer), and
hardness values can change. Mixing devices are
installed in some reservoirs to aerate the water and
overcome this problem. Aeration devices can be fitted
on the bottom of reservoirs, or pumps can be fitted
with jetting nozzles to induce turbulence.
 (2) Screening:

Virtually all intakes to water supply systems

are screened by filters of varying sizes. The
devices used vary in size from simple bar
types to complex microstrainers. The nature
of the screening is at least partly determined
by the quality of the raw water entering the
treatment works.
 (3) Slow Sand Filtration:

This process, which was one of the earliest and best

has largely been superseded by chemical
coagulation and rapid sand filters. Slow sand filters
consist of large open filter beds constructed with
impermeable walls and floors and containing about
1 m of fine sand laid on 0.3 m of shingle with
suitable drainage tiles at the bottom. Filters work
under a head of about 1 m of water, percolating
through at a rate of 100–300 l/m2 per hour.
Coagulation, Flocculation And Sedimentation

These are the processes used for the removal of impurities in most
water treatment works. Coagulation:Is the process of aggregation of
the colloidal-sized negatively charged particles in the raw water. It is
brought about by the addition of coagulants, usually either aluminium
or ferric sulphate or polyelectrolytes, which have positively charged
ions. The effectiveness of the process is also dependent on the pH over
a range of values of alkalinity. The end result of this process is a
relatively dense precipitate known as floc. These larger particles will
settle out more readily or be more effectively removed by filtration
than the original particulate and organic contents of the water.
Sedimentation is achieved in tanks, of which there are many designs.
Up-flow rates vary from 1 to 3 m/h, but higher rates can be used with
some designs.
 (5) Rapid Sand Filtration:

Sedimentation is usually followed by rapid sand

filtration to ensure removal of any floc carried
through with the decanted water. Rapid gravity
filters are up to 40 times as fast as slow sand filters
and normally employ filtration rates up to 20 m/h
with peak flows as high as 50 m/h. They do not
however employ any biological activity and merely
act as physical filters. The filter normally consists of
a large open tank containing a bed of sand 1–1.2 m
deep supported on layers of coarse sand and
gravel.
 (6) Disinfection 6:1: Chlorination

Chlorine is used as a disinfectant almost universally in the water

industry to ensure that water is free from harmful
microorganisms. It is added either as a gas or as a solution of
sodium hypochlorite. When the source is very pure, for example
borehole water, the dose rarely exceeds 0.5 mg/l and the
process is known as marginal chlorination. It is therefore usual
to add just enough chlorine to overcome the chlorine demand
and to maintain a small free-chlorine residual. This amount of
free chlorine is 0.1–0.2 mg/l. This process is known as
breakpoint chlorination. Although it needs to be sufficient to
ensure effective bactericidal activity, the amount of free residual
should be low enough to leave no taste in the water.
 6:2: Ultraviolet (UV)

6:2: Ultraviolet Irradaition Shortwave ultraviolet

(UV) radiation at around 254 nm is effective against
most microorganisms and may be used to disinfect
water supplies. This UV spectrum is harmful to the
eyes and skin and manufacturers’ safety precautions
must be adhered to. UV treatment has no smell
associated with the treated water but there is no
residual effect, so it is usually used for smaller
supplies with short pipe runs. It is therefore popular
for private water supplies.
 6:3: Ozonization Ozone
The triatomic form of oxygen (O3), water treatment plants
throughout Europe have used this process for protozoa and
virus elimination, as well as the removal of pesticides and
other organic chemicals. Ozonization is relatively expensive
when compared with chlorination and has no residual
effect, but it has some advantages:
ozone is better at removing viruses and protozoan
parasites such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia than
chlorine; it can be very effective in removing colour from
moorland water; organic chemical, tastes and odours are
removed; there is no smell associated with the treated
water.
 (7) Removal of Iron, Manganese and
Aluminum

Depending on the source of the water and the

resulting level of contaminants, other treatment may
be necessary. High manganese, aluminium and iron
levels for instance, occur in upland surface waters that
are low in pH. Balancing the pH with the addition of
potassium permanganate or aeration will change the
metal ions so that they precipitate out. This is followed
by sedimentation or filtration, if necessary in two
stages.
 (8) Removal of tastes and odours:

These may be reduced by the use of granular

activated carbon, where the aromatic
materials adhere to the charcoal or by
ozonation.
 (1) Fluoridation

Sodium fluoride is added to the public supply

at the request of the health authority in
order to reduce the incidence of dental
caries.