Drinking Water Treatment Notes.docx

Coagulation

The process of adding chemicals to water to destabilize colloidal particles, allowing them to aggregate into larger flocs.

Flocculation

The gentle mixing process that promotes the aggregation of destabilized particles into larger flocs after coagulation.

Sedimentation

The process where flocs settle to the bottom of a basin due to gravity, allowing for clearer water to be removed from the top.

Disinfection

The process of eliminating or inactivating pathogenic microorganisms in drinking water to ensure safety.

Oxidation

The chemical addition of agents to convert contaminants into more easily removable forms, often used to remove iron and manganese.

Alkalinity

The capacity of water to neutralize acids, primarily due to the presence of bicarbonates and carbonates.

Hardness

The concentration of dissolved calcium and magnesium ions in water, which can affect scaling and soap efficiency.

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)

A filtering medium used to adsorb organic compounds and improve water taste and odor.

Reverse Osmosis (RO)

A membrane filtration process that removes dissolved salts and contaminants by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane.

Chlorination

A disinfection method that involves adding chlorine to water to kill pathogens but can create disinfection byproducts.

Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection

A physical method that uses UV light to damage the DNA of microorganisms, preventing their reproduction.

pH Adjustment

The process of modifying the acidity or basicity of water to prevent corrosion and improve treatment efficacy.

Emerging Contaminants

Newly recognized pollutants in water sources that require advanced treatment methods for removal.

Desalination

The process of removing salt and other impurities from seawater to produce freshwater.

Aeration

The process of exposing water to air to remove dissolved gases and increase oxygen levels.

Coagulation and Flocculation Efficiency

Depends on factors such as coagulant type, dose, mixing speed, and water quality parameters.

Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF)

A treatment process that uses fine bubbles to help rise and remove flocs from water.

Ion Exchange

A water treatment process that uses resin beads to replace undesired ions with more desirable ones, often used for hardness removal.

Chick-Watson Law

Describes the relationship between disinfectant concentration, contact time, and microbial inactivation.

Turbidity

The cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by large numbers of individual particles that are generally invisible to the unaided eye.

Filtration

A physical barrier method that removes suspended solids, microorganisms, and some dissolved substances from water.

Ozone Disinfection

A method using ozone gas to inactivate pathogens and break down organic matter but requires secondary disinfection due to the absence of residual.

Chemical Oxidants

Substances like chlorine and ozone used to chemically alter contaminants in water for easier removal.

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs)

Compounds formed when disinfectants react with organic and inorganic matter in water.

Surface Water

Water from sources like rivers and lakes that is typically more susceptible to contamination compared to groundwater.

Groundwater

Water located beneath the ground surface, usually of higher quality but may require treatment for specific contaminants.

Biofilms

A layer of microorganisms that forms on surfaces, often used in slow sand filtration to aid in contaminant removal.