| Water purification technology is an ongoing concern | | | | being deposited into the water. |
| for the water conservation and treatment plants | | | | The National Academy of Science is trying to find |
| around the world. | | | | ways to reduce costs and boost efficiency through |
| We are always hearing save water, don't waste it. | | | | technological experiments of: |
| This statement has definitely been true of the last | | | | * Identification or development of less expensive |
| 5-10 years and water is now seen as a valued | | | | materials for membranes and filtration systems, |
| important necessity in our lives. | | | | including corrosion resistant materials. |
| The problem right now is that to treat water to | | | | * Improve configuration to reduce elements cost |
| make it safe for home users it is very costly or time | | | | * Improve cartridge filter design to reduce |
| consuming and researchers need to find a way to | | | | replacement rate |
| remedy this with new and innovative technology. | | | | * Reduce consumption of pretreatment and |
| They are looking into new methods of water | | | | post-treatment chemicals. |
| purification that can both bring us safe healthy life | | | | All of these elements are very important because |
| giving water at an affordable price. | | | | lets face it clean, healthy, filtered, water needs to be |
| But there have been many unfortunate incidents | | | | affordable to the masses. There are of course |
| where unsafe water has been delivered to | | | | avenues open to us to get this pure water, which I |
| customers with devastating consequences. This | | | | explain in many of my articles. For example using a |
| surely tells us something about the secrecy of the | | | | water filter system can help in many respects. |
| technology used to purify - or not purify our water | | | | However, the National Academy of Sciences are |
| today! | | | | very concerned about our water supply as A M |
| This article is going to look at some concerns about | | | | Slacker notes: In particular, the incremental stresses |
| water technology and the methods that are used in | | | | that additional people will place in the world's water |
| treating water. | | | | resources will sharply intensify the existing world |
| There are two different types of water - The | | | | water scarcity and lead to a host of critical water |
| surface water which is drawn from rivers lakes and | | | | management challenges. |
| reservoirs and groundwater which is pumped out of | | | | Our water is scarce now, but what is going to |
| wells. | | | | happen in a few years with the ever expanding |
| METHODS | | | | growth of the population worldwide. It is today that |
| Screen PrefiltationThis involves using a coarse screen | | | | water purification technology has to be looked into |
| used at the point of entry of a surface water supply | | | | we cannot wait until tomorrow - tomorrow will be |
| to remove large particles and protect the equipment | | | | too late. |
| from getting clogged. | | | | Situations such as the following will more than likely |
| Lime TreatmentOnce lime has been added it can then | | | | surprise you. The Committee on Water Quality |
| reduce levels of calcium and magnesium although it is | | | | Improvement for the Pittsburgh Region, National |
| important for some of these chemicals to be present | | | | Research Council reports that 'The city of Pittsburgh |
| in water as they are extremely good for our health, | | | | and surrounding area of southwestern Pennsylvania |
| we do not want an access of them. Once the water | | | | face complex water quality problems, due in large |
| is treated with lime it can then be clarified. | | | | part to aging wastewater infrastructures that cannot |
| ClarificationThis is a multi-step process which is used | | | | handle sewer overflows and storm-water runoff, |
| to reduce turbidity and suspended matter. This is | | | | especially during wet weather'. |
| achieved by adding chemicals to adjust the pH which | | | | Pittsburg is just one area noted here. But how safe is |
| then form floc that either settles in settling tanks or | | | | your water? We don't know do we? Believe me this |
| is percolated through the gravity of the filter. | | | | is not one isolated case. Do something about it now |
| However, because it only effectively removes | | | | before your health suffers. |
| particles larger than 25 microns, there could still be | | | | Water purification technology is being developed to |
| some suspended materials left behind. | | | | find better ways of bringing safe water to third |
| DisinfectionAll water needs to be free of bacteria and | | | | world countries? No! Purification technology |
| usually chlorine is added in treated water to kill all | | | | improvements are definitely needed on our own |
| bacteria. However, it is very important to monitor | | | | doorstep as well and the sooner we realize that the |
| chlorine levels so that harmful levels of chloramines or | | | | sooner we will develop those standards needed in |
| chlorinated hydrocarbons develop. This method is one | | | | order to keep our water safe for human |
| of the most important steps in municipal water | | | | consumption until that happens we have to put in our |
| treatment.pH AdjustmentThis is needed in municipal | | | | own effort. |
| waters to avoid corrosion of lead pipes and lead | | | | |