Water Treatment and water quality

Coagulation

particles clump together and form flocculate when chemicals (alum) are added

Sedimentation

heavy particles sink to the bottom

Aeration

add oxygen to water by mixing the water; helps bacteria break down harmful pieces

Filtration

water passes through several filters of varying sizes e.g. gravel then sand

Disinfection

chemicals (chlorine) or UV lights are used to remove harmful bacteria

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

amount of oxygen dissolved in water; lowered by high temperatures and nitrates

Turbidity

measurement of particles in water; more turbid= more sediment./particles in the water

pH

percent Hydrogen; pure water should have a pH of 7

Bioindicators

living organisms that indicate a change in the water system (number/types of species change)

Nitrates

nitrogen compounds in fertilizers and sewage; increases plant growth and causes in eutrophication in water systems

Storage reservoir

where cleaned water is stored before delivery

Pipeline

how clean water is delivered to homes

Abstraction

how water is collected from the natural environment e.g. from reservoir or aquifer

Clarification

making the water clearer using coagulation to get particles to flocculate

Aquifer

Porous rock underground that acts as a groundwater store

Reservoir

Man-made lake to store water

Standpipe

Water pumped vertically into shared pipe, each household collects their own (common in LIC)