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== Jargon == | == Jargon == | ||
pH - a measure of the acidity of the water. Most fresh water sources have a pH of 6-8. | |||
pH - a measure of the acidity of the water. Most fresh water sources have a pH of 6-8. The ocean's pH is ~8.3. A pH above 7 is considered preferable because enteric pathogens prefer a pH below 7. | |||
Enteric Pathogen - diseases which attack the digestive system such as Typhoid and Cholera | Enteric Pathogen - diseases which attack the digestive system such as Typhoid and Cholera | ||
| Line 6: | Line 7: | ||
Sedimentation - passing the water through a very calm, pond like structure so that the solids will settle out. | Sedimentation - passing the water through a very calm, pond like structure so that the solids will settle out. | ||
Coagulation - using chemicals such as | Coagulation - using chemicals such as allum to accelerate sedimentation. | ||
Turbidity - the cloudiness of the water | Turbidity - the cloudiness of the water | ||
| Line 13: | Line 14: | ||
== Intake Design == | == Intake Design == | ||
One of the most often neglected elements in the water treatment system is the intake. | |||
One of the most often neglected elements in the water treatment system is the intake. The intake must be diesigned to limit the amount of dirt and debris taken into the system to reduce problems downstream. | |||
* Intake channels which do not face upstream are preferable. | * Intake channels which do not face upstream are preferable. | ||
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== Suspended Solids Removal == | == Suspended Solids Removal == | ||
Suspended Solids Removal is typically the most difficult element of the water treatment process. There are 2 primary methods of suspended solids removal, sedimentation and coagulation and flocculation. | |||
==== Sedimentation ==== | |||
A simple test of the efficacy of sedimentation involves, taking a jar of the water and allowing it to sit after being mixed. | The easiest way to remove suspended solids is through sedimentation.If it is possible to let the water sit for a period of time, or pass slowly through a tank, heavier particles can settle out. See Sedimentation (water treatment){{w|Sedimentation (water treatment)}}. Also, if the sedimentation period lasts days to weeks, sedimentation can also have the effect of killing off bacteria. If the water is relatively clear, this step may not be important. Or if the water is turbid (cloudy) but the solids do not settle out easily, this step may be of little use. | ||
A simple test of the efficacy of sedimentation involves, taking a jar of the water and allowing it to sit after being mixed. If the supernatant{{w|supernatant}} water is less than 5NTU after 6-8 hours, then either filtration or coagulation must be employed. | |||
INSERT SOME METHOD FOR DETERMINGING SEDIMENTATION TANK SIZE AND CONTACT TIME | INSERT SOME METHOD FOR DETERMINGING SEDIMENTATION TANK SIZE AND CONTACT TIME | ||
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When designing sedimentation tanks, special care should be taken to ensure that inlets and outlets produce minimal disturbance. | When designing sedimentation tanks, special care should be taken to ensure that inlets and outlets produce minimal disturbance. | ||
====Coagulation and Flocculation==== | ==== Coagulation and Flocculation ==== | ||
Frequently, the suspended solids will not settle out in a reasonable period of time and sedimentation alone will not work. | |||
Frequently, the suspended solids will not settle out in a reasonable period of time and sedimentation alone will not work. If this is the case, a two step process of coagulation and flocculation is employed. | |||
==== Filtering ==== | ==== Filtering ==== | ||
*{{ | A [[water filter]] is important as pathogens and other contaminants are mostly attached to particles in the water. This step is sometimes skipped if the water is very clear. | ||
*{{ | |||
*{{ | * [[Slow sand filters]]{{w|Slow sand filters}} | ||
* clay pot filters{{w|clay pot filters}} | |||
* [[ceramic water filters]]{{w|ceramic water filters}} | |||
== Disinfection == | == Disinfection == | ||
*Boil the water for 10 minutes. | Disinfection is the backbone of water treatment and required to inactivate pathogens such as viri and bacteria. Filtration is typically employed so that the disinfection phase is more effective. | ||
*{{ | |||
*Chlorine or iodine. | * Boil the water for 10 minutes. | ||
* [[Solar water disinfection]]{{w|Solar water disinfection}} | |||
* Chlorine or iodine. | |||
== Removing arsenic == | == Removing arsenic == | ||
In cases of arsenic contamination the {{ | |||
In cases of arsenic contamination the Sono arsenic filter{{w|Sono arsenic filter}} should be considered. As it contains sand and charcoal, the filter should also be effective against other impurities. Arsenic containing water is typically groundwater and thus should not usually contain significant pathogens. Iron and manganese oxides can offer a cheap method of removing low levels of arsenic from water. The oxides are able to adsorb arsenic ions and remove them from solution. | |||
== See also == | |||
* [[Water supply and purification for emergencies]] | |||
* [[Solar water disinfection]] | |||
* [[Decreasing turbidity to optimize solar water disinfection]] | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/resources/downloads/emerg_manuals/water_treatment.pdf | |||
http://web.archive.org/web/20120307082420/http://www.oxfam.org.uk/resources/downloads/emerg_manuals/water_treatment.pdf | |||
{{Page data}} | |||
[[Category:Water treatment]] | |||
Latest revision as of 03:13, 23 May 2024
Jargon[edit | edit source]
pH - a measure of the acidity of the water. Most fresh water sources have a pH of 6-8. The ocean's pH is ~8.3. A pH above 7 is considered preferable because enteric pathogens prefer a pH below 7.
Enteric Pathogen - diseases which attack the digestive system such as Typhoid and Cholera
Sedimentation - passing the water through a very calm, pond like structure so that the solids will settle out.
Coagulation - using chemicals such as allum to accelerate sedimentation.
Turbidity - the cloudiness of the water
NTU - a measure of turbidity
Intake Design[edit | edit source]
One of the most often neglected elements in the water treatment system is the intake. The intake must be diesigned to limit the amount of dirt and debris taken into the system to reduce problems downstream.
- Intake channels which do not face upstream are preferable.
- Fast flowing water will carry more dirt and debris, so seek natural sedimentation basins within the stream.
- When designing the intake, keep in mind that it must be accessed for maintenance.
- Custom made perforated pipes and drums can help preserve water quality.
- Placing the intake .5m below the water surface can avoid algae growth.
- Avoid suctioning sediments from the lake/river bottom.
Suspended Solids Removal[edit | edit source]
Suspended Solids Removal is typically the most difficult element of the water treatment process. There are 2 primary methods of suspended solids removal, sedimentation and coagulation and flocculation.
Sedimentation[edit | edit source]
The easiest way to remove suspended solids is through sedimentation.If it is possible to let the water sit for a period of time, or pass slowly through a tank, heavier particles can settle out. See Sedimentation (water treatment)W. Also, if the sedimentation period lasts days to weeks, sedimentation can also have the effect of killing off bacteria. If the water is relatively clear, this step may not be important. Or if the water is turbid (cloudy) but the solids do not settle out easily, this step may be of little use.
A simple test of the efficacy of sedimentation involves, taking a jar of the water and allowing it to sit after being mixed. If the supernatantW water is less than 5NTU after 6-8 hours, then either filtration or coagulation must be employed.
INSERT SOME METHOD FOR DETERMINGING SEDIMENTATION TANK SIZE AND CONTACT TIME
When designing sedimentation tanks, special care should be taken to ensure that inlets and outlets produce minimal disturbance.
Coagulation and Flocculation[edit | edit source]
Frequently, the suspended solids will not settle out in a reasonable period of time and sedimentation alone will not work. If this is the case, a two step process of coagulation and flocculation is employed.
Filtering[edit | edit source]
A water filter is important as pathogens and other contaminants are mostly attached to particles in the water. This step is sometimes skipped if the water is very clear.
- Slow sand filtersW
- clay pot filtersW
- ceramic water filtersW
Disinfection[edit | edit source]
Disinfection is the backbone of water treatment and required to inactivate pathogens such as viri and bacteria. Filtration is typically employed so that the disinfection phase is more effective.
- Boil the water for 10 minutes.
- Solar water disinfectionW
- Chlorine or iodine.
Removing arsenic[edit | edit source]
In cases of arsenic contamination the Sono arsenic filterW should be considered. As it contains sand and charcoal, the filter should also be effective against other impurities. Arsenic containing water is typically groundwater and thus should not usually contain significant pathogens. Iron and manganese oxides can offer a cheap method of removing low levels of arsenic from water. The oxides are able to adsorb arsenic ions and remove them from solution.
See also[edit | edit source]
- Water supply and purification for emergencies
- Solar water disinfection
- Decreasing turbidity to optimize solar water disinfection
