It
is imperative for our health and wellbeing that we drink clean water. But not
everyone has access to clean water, which can have negative health effects.
Many install purifying systems or filters in order to ensure health. Although
the majority of drinking water is obtained from treated municipal supplies, it
may still contain additional contaminants such as calcium carbonate (CaC03), lime
scale, and chlorine. Water filtration can assist in resolving these issues and
preserving a safe drinking environment.
Municipally treated drinking water is safe in wealthy industrialized
countries. However, poor sanitation, poor hygiene, and limited access to
waterborne diseases pose health risks in impoverished nations.
Water Treatment:
Common water treatment processes vary significantly in design, largely influenced by water quality and source, resulting in varying outcomes across facilities. Water sources with high microorganism levels may require a different treatment process than those with higher organic chemicals. The most common process for public water treatment facilities are as follows.
(i) Screening: It is the first step in water treatment, removing large debris such as leaves and garbage, preventing damage and improving treatment efficiency. Screening process allows water and small particles to pass through.
(ii) Coagulation and flocculation: is a crucial stage in the filtration of water. Coagulation removes suspended particles and allows them to collect. Flocculation converts particles into larger clusters, making them easier to filter and extract. As the flakes prepare to settle, their size and weight increase.
(iii) Sedimentation: The settling tank carries water with a large accumulation of flakes, forming a layer of sludge. The clean water remains suspended and is sent for treatment and filtration. The process's efficacy is ensured by routine sludge disposal.
(iv) Filtration: After precipitation, the water is purified by filtration. A medium consisting of a layer of sand and gravel and activated carbon is used to trap contaminants and ensure water purity.
(v) Disinfection: Chlorination is the most common disinfection method that introduces chlorine compounds into water that have microbial killing properties. Ultraviolet light is another factor that causes DNA damage and neutralizes harmful microorganisms. Other methods include an advanced oxidation process (AOP).
Water Filtration/Purification:
Water purification removes contaminants from raw water for specific purposes, including human consumption and medical, pharmacology, chemical, and industrial applications. Physical, biological, chemical and electromagnetic processes are examples of approaches. The process reduces particulate matter, parasites, bacteria, algae, viruses, and fungi, as well as minerals derived from rainwater. Several methods are used to purify water such as:
(1)
Physical processes for example filtration, precipitation, and distillation.
(2)
Biological processes i.e. sand filters and activated carbon.
(3) Chemical processes including ultraviolet radiation, chlorination, and flocculation.
Mainly there are five types of water filters, each addressing a different water problem, and many filters actually combine these methods to perform multiple stages of filtration:
Mechanical filter: Mechanical water filters typically remove large suspended particles such as sand, silt, clay, loose sediment, and organic matter from the water. Very tiny particles or dissolved compounds are not removed by these filter systems.
Absorption filter: The most commonly used is carbon, which is very effective at capturing waterborne pollutants.
Ion exchange filters: They are used to remove impurity ions from
drinking water that are electrically charged, even when the contaminants are
still liquid.
Sequestration Filters: Polyphosphate is an addition that helps to improve the quality of your water. Sequestration is the process of chemically isolating a component from another substance.
Improved Membrane Technology: Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems are based on membrane technology, which has been improved with the latest developments and uses. Modern systems used in RO systems make the membrane and its pores more sustainable and water-friendly.
Water test labs conduct a variety of water quality tests to assist assess whether water is safe to use in a home or other location, including drinking water testing. These tests assist in identifying whether particular materials or pollutants have contaminated a body of water and provide information about the necessary additional treatments.
Distinguishing between Filtration and Purification:
Filtration is a physical procedure wherein solid particles are retained in a filter element or screen while fluid is allowed to flow through. Sediment and membrane filters are common components of water filtration systems, and they are frequently combined for improved filtration. On the other hand, purification makes water fit for human consumption by removing impurities or undesirable substances. The majority of purification systems use distillation, ion exchange resins, and UV light bulbs in addition to activated carbon to adsorb impurities. Water must be purified before it can be safely consumed by humans. Without filtering, fresh water cannot be simply purified.
Every
water filter performs a particular purpose. Some can improve the taste of
water, while others can filter out harmful chemicals and bacteria. No single filter can prevent all types of
contaminants from drinking water, and not everyone needs a water filter. The
quality of water entering the system can influence the type of filtration
system used. If a filter removes one contaminant, do not assume it will remove
others as well. Bacteria cannot always be properly removed by filters designed
to remove chemicals, and vice versa. Certain chemical-removing water treatment
technologies, such ion exchange, distillation systems, and reverse osmosis, may
also remove essential components.
Drinking water and WHO guidelines:
The World Health Organization (WHO) establishes international guidelines for water
quality and human health, serving as the foundation for global regulation and
standard setting. WHO Guidelines for drinking-water quality protect public
health by recommending risk management for hazards compromising water safety. The Guidelines' "Framework for Safe
Drinking-water" recommends the collaboration of national regulators, water
suppliers, and independent surveillance agencies to ensure safe drinking water.
This Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality outline potential contaminants, but
national standards should consider local issues. New approaches like Water
Safety Plans ensure safety and quality. WHO drinking water quality guidelines
serve as international standards, but they lack numerical benchmarks for
acceptable microbial and chemical concentrations in drinking water compared to the U.S. which results in
maintaining MAC (maximum allowable concentration) standards. The WHO recommends higher concentrations for
individual contaminants, such as Alachlor (a chloroacetanilide type herbicide),
compared to the American Environmental Protection Agency’s maximum concentration of 2 micro-liters per
liter.
Commercialization of water filtration:
Many European countries utilize RO water as a common and safe water purification method when properly maintained and operated. The advantages of mineralized/nutrient-added, purified water, particularly water filtered and disinfected through a reverse osmosis system, are increasingly recognized and accepted. Therefore water treatment industry is booming due to its profitability, as it involves daily cleaning, purification, and waste water treatment, ensuring safe and clean water. There are hundreds of large and small producers of bottled drinking water with water refilling facilities. Prominent among others are Nestle Pure Life which provides bottled water to people in more than 40 countries, whereas Aquafina is engaged across the United States, Spain, Canada, Lebanon, Turkey, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Iran, Egypt, Vietnam, Pakistan and India. It is estimated that the packaged drinking water plant business offers a profitable, cost-effective solution with a profit margin of 25 to 35% after considering composition, advertising, and packaging charges.
Reverse Osmosis (RO):
Reverse osmosis is a very efficient way of filtering water. It works by passing bigger impurities through a filter material with a pore size of approximately 0.0001 microns, which is barely noticeable. It was first intended for desalination, but it has since found usage in other fields. Reverse osmosis membranes efficiently filter impurities out of water, guaranteeing that industrial processes use pure, high-quality water free of contaminants that could harm machinery or lower the quality of products. Membrane maintenance is necessary due to the effluent generated by RO water filtration. Modern Reverse Osmosis water filtering system, have the ability to recycle water, ensuring good water utilization rates for a variety of purposes. All water filtering methods, however, have advantages, disadvantages, and weaknesses of their own.