Water Purification Agents

The task of the water purification process is a tedious one. There are several ways to purify water, and each water purification method is tailored to fit a specific water need. Among a diverse array of water purificationtechniques, the single most important aspect of water purification is disinfection. 

During the water purification process relating to disinfection, sterilization is done through filtering out harmful microbes and adding chemicals that disinfect. This is done during the last water purification process, particular to drinking water. The water is disinfected in order to kill any harmful pathogens that may pass through the filters. Possible pathogens that may disrupt the water purification process include viruses, and most commonly, bacteria. 

In well-established countries, public water suppliers are required to circulate a long lasting disinfecting agent throughout the entire water purification manufacturing system. When this disinfecting agent is released into the system, it may take days for it to complete. During this time, the water is held in temporary storage to allow the disinfection agent to run its course and to allow the purification process to complete. The water is held in a tank either called a contact tank or a clear well. 

The most powerful water purification disinfectant is chlorine. Chlorine is a super strong water purification oxidant that quickly kills several harmful microorganisms at a time. However, despite its powerful water purification properties, it poses a health threat to humans when consumed, even in small amounts. The danger in chlorine consumption lies in the release of its toxic gas components. 

Another form of disinfectant in the water purification process is chlorine dioxide. Chlorine dioxide is a quick acting cleaning agent like chlorine, however unlike chlorine it is made in water and is used in water only. 

Chloramines is yet another water purification chemical cleaning agent, that is chlorine based. The difference between chloramines and chlorine is that it will not form THMs or haloacetic acids. Although it is not as strong of a water purification chemical, is offers a longer lasting disinfectant power than chlorine does. 

Ozone is a water purification agent that is a powerful disinfectant in nature. Not only do its water purification methods inactivate harmful protozoans that form cysts in the water, but it also works well against all other pathogens. The only problem with this water purification agent is that it leaves no lasting residual in the water. However the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have approved it as being safe. It is used for the treatment, storage, and processing of foods as an anti-microbiological agent. 

Another water purification agent is UV radiation. UV radiation is capable of inactivating cysts. The key is to make sure the amount of color present in the water is less to none so that the radiation effects are not absorbed into the water. Like the water purification agent ozone, UV radiation does not leave a lasting residual disinfectant in the water, making it necessary to add a supplementary water purification agent to the water, such as chloramines. When combined together, the water purification agents chloramine and radiation create a longer lasting disinfectant effect. This effect remains present in the water for a certain length of time, and it continues to keep the water clean and pathogen free. 

Hydrogen peroxide is a water purification agent that is similar to ozone in that it has activating agents that add increasing efficiency to the supplementary disinfectant. A good supplementary water purification agent that can be used in addition to radiation is chloramine, which is the same supplementary water purification agent used for ozone. The downside to hydrogen peroxide as a water purification agent is that is slower working than other similar compounds. 

The last main disinfecting treatment in the water purification process is solar water disinfection. Solar water disinfection is a low cost method that also has a lower negative impact on the environment than other similar water purification compounds. This is because its water purification power does not rely on firewood. A positive aspect of this water purification solar agent is that is can be combined with locally accessible materials. 

Each water purification treatment described has the ability to perform successfully in the way that each was designed to. Depending on the type of water being cleaned and the budget that your business has to work with, you will find that these water purification techniques prove to be very effective.