DRINKING WATER – WATER ANALYSIS

Discover the drinking water treatment flow – from surface or groundwater to running clear from your taps.

Coagulation

When water enters a treatment plant, engineers begin by performing coagulation. They add chemicals such as polyelectrolyte, ferrous sulphate, and aluminium sulphate to bind microparticles and small solids together. This step ensures that tiny particles cluster into larger, easier-to-remove flocs.

Therefore, engineers carefully measure and administer these chemicals to maintain precision and comply with strict regulatory standards. In addition, they perform regular system maintenance to ensure the coagulation process operates effectively and consistently.

Flocculation

After engineers treat the water with coagulation chemicals, they pump it into a tank equipped with large paddles. These paddles mix the water and chemicals, which helps microparticles form larger clusters, called flocs, that stick together more easily. Consequently, this process improves the efficiency of sedimentation. This stage is known as flocculation.

Sedimentation

The water enters the sedimentation phase after the flocculation process is completed. The large particles formed during the coagulation and flocculation stages separate and settle once the water enters the primary settling basins. This results in cleaner water for further treatment at the drinking water treatment plant. In addition, the solids form a sludge layer on the tank’s bottom, which is later removed via sludge thickening and reused on the land.

Disinfection

After clarified water exits the sedimentation basins at the drinking water treatment plant, operators add chlorine during the disinfection stage. The water then flows through a second set of basins or channels, completing the disinfection process and ensuring that the water entering the environment is free of pathogens and residual chlorine.

pH adjustment

Operators adjust the water’s pH after disinfection. Adding lime or calcium oxide reduces water acidity and makes it gentler on domestic pipes. At this stage, they also add a polyphosphate solution to maintain the lime in solution.

Filtration

Next, water passes through rapid gravity filters, typically containing sand, to remove remaining sediment or particles. During the final filtration stage, the system traps particles on the filter surface, producing clean water ready for the municipal supply. Pumping stations then deliver the treated water through pipelines to residential customers.