How City Water Purification Works: Drinking and Wastewater

How City Water Purification Works: Drinking and Wastewater

City Water Purification Process

Drinking water comes from surface sources (rivers, lakes, reservoirs) or underground wells/springs.

Drinking Water Treatment

  • Coagulation and flocculation: particles suspended in water are neutralized and clumped together.
  • Sedimentation: heavy floc particles settle to the bottom of the tank.
  • Ozonation: ozone gas bubbles are injected to treat microscopic taste and odor causing agents.
  • Filtration: water passes through activated carbon granules and microsand to remove oxidized particles and contaminants.
  • UV treatment: water passes through ultraviolet lights to destroy or disrupt pathogens.

Wastewater Treatment

  • Headworks: large debris and heavier inorganic particles are removed from incoming wastewater flow.
  • Grit chamber: heavier gritty particles like sand, silt, and clay are removed.
  • Primary clarification: organic matter is separated from wastewater.
  • Secondary treatment: helpful microorganisms consume biodegradable waste products.
  • Final clarification: floc sinks to the bottom of the tank.
  • Final disinfection: water is exposed to UV light to destroy or disrupt pathogens.

Treated wastewater is released back into nature through a specially designed outfall pipe.



Term Definition Example Usage
Coagulation Neutralizing particles suspended in water by adding chemicals to make them clump together. During the drinking water treatment process, coagulation helps remove suspended particles from the water.
Flocculation The process of allowing particles to clump together into larger masses called flocs. Flocculation is an important step in the drinking water treatment process, as it helps remove suspended particles from the water.
Ozonation The process of treating water with ozone gas to remove taste, odor, and other contaminants. Ozonation is used in the drinking water treatment process to remove microscopic taste and odor causing agents from the water.
Filtration The process of passing water through a filter to remove impurities. Filtration is used in the drinking water treatment process to remove oxidized particles and contaminants from the water.
UV Treatment The process of exposing water to ultraviolet light to destroy or disrupt pathogens. UV treatment is used in the drinking water treatment process to destroy or disrupt pathogens and other microorganisms.
Headworks A facility that removes large debris and heavier inorganic particles from incoming wastewater flow. Headworks is the first step in the wastewater treatment process, where large debris and heavier inorganic particles are removed from the wastewater flow.
Grit Chamber A facility that removes heavier gritty particles like sand, silt, and clay from wastewater. The grit chamber is used in the wastewater treatment process to remove heavier gritty particles from the wastewater flow.
Primary Clarification The process of separating organic matter from wastewater. Primary clarification is the second step in the wastewater treatment process, where organic matter is separated from the wastewater flow.
Secondary Treatment The process of using helpful microorganisms to consume biodegradable waste products. Secondary treatment is the third step in the wastewater treatment process, where helpful microorganisms consume biodegradable waste products.
Final Disinfection The process of exposing water to UV light to destroy or disrupt pathogens. Final disinfection is the last step in the wastewater treatment process, where water is exposed to UV light to destroy or disrupt pathogens.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsVfshmK0Ak


Vocabulary Quiz: City Water Purification Process

  1. What does the term flocculation refer to in the water purification process?
    • The removal of heavy particles from water
    • The clumping together of particles suspended in water
    • The injection of ozone gas into water
    • The passage of water through ultraviolet lights
  2. What is the purpose of the ozonation process in water treatment?
    • To remove heavy floc particles from water
    • To treat microscopic taste and odor causing agents
    • To destroy or disrupt pathogens in water
    • To remove organic matter from wastewater
  3. What occurs during the sedimentation process in water treatment?
    • Heavy floc particles settle to the bottom of the tank
    • Water passes through activated carbon granules and microsand
    • Ozone gas bubbles are injected into water
    • Water is exposed to UV light to destroy pathogens
  4. What is the purpose of the headworks in wastewater treatment?
    • To remove organic matter from wastewater
    • To consume biodegradable waste products
    • To remove large debris and heavier inorganic particles from incoming wastewater flow
    • To release treated wastewater into nature
  5. What is the final step in wastewater treatment before it is released back into nature?
    • Primary clarification
    • Secondary treatment
    • Final disinfection
    • Final clarification

Answer Key

  1. b) The clumping together of particles suspended in water
  2. b) To treat microscopic taste and odor causing agents
  3. a) Heavy floc particles settle to the bottom of the tank
  4. c) To remove large debris and heavier inorganic particles from incoming wastewater flow
  5. c) Final disinfection


The Use of the Passive Voice in Describing Processes


Explanation
The passive voice is often used to describe processes, especially in formal or technical writing, as it allows the focus to be on the action rather than the doer. In the provided text, the passive voice is used to describe the steps involved in the city water purification process and wastewater treatment. This creates a sense of objectivity and makes the text more formal and informative.

Grammar Quiz

Choose the correct form of the verb in parentheses to complete each sentence.

1. The water ____________________ (treat) with ozone gas bubbles to remove impurities.
A) is treating B) is treated C) treats D) treat
2. The heavy floc particles ____________________ (settle) to the bottom of the tank during sedimentation.
A) settle B) are settling C) are settled D) settles
3. The wastewater ____________________ (expose) to UV light to destroy or disrupt pathogens.
A) is exposed B) exposes C) expose D) are exposed
4. The organic matter ____________________ (separate) from wastewater during primary clarification.
A) separates B) is separated C) separate D) are separated
5. The water ____________________ (release) back into nature through a specially designed outfall pipe.
A) releases B) is released C) release D) are released

Quiz Answer Key

1. B) is treated 2. C) are settled 3. A) is exposed 4. B) is separated 5. B) is released