EDITOR'S NOTE
Today's topic is Water, use and
purification.
Seventy-two percent of human body is water likewise seventy-one percent of the earth surfaces is filled with water. So it will not be inappropriate to say water is life. This edition of our newsletter exposes us to different types of water sources and their uses.
It is also to enlighten the reader that not all water is potable and as such proffer means of purifying water which can best be carried out by an expert in that field.
It also stresses the need to protect our water from contaminants as the demands for freshwater can only increase in the future.
Enjoy your read.
PATIENCE E.C. OKONTA
Seventy-two percent of human body is water likewise seventy-one percent of the earth surfaces is filled with water. So it will not be inappropriate to say water is life. This edition of our newsletter exposes us to different types of water sources and their uses.
It is also to enlighten the reader that not all water is potable and as such proffer means of purifying water which can best be carried out by an expert in that field.
It also stresses the need to protect our water from contaminants as the demands for freshwater can only increase in the future.
Enjoy your read.
PATIENCE E.C. OKONTA
Water,
they say has no enemy.
71%
of the Earth's surface is covered with water which is categorized into various
water bodies such as ocean, sea, river and lakes. The vast of it is salt water
(97%) and only 3% fresh water. Also, the fresh water is unevenly distributed to
different regions and countries. Of the 3% fresh water, only a fraction of it
is used by humans and animals.
No
wonder water is subjected to various processes before it can be regarded as
safe for human or domestic use. What this implies is that there are two
categories of water: usable and unusable water. The strong determinant of
usable water or otherwise is the purpose. A water type may be unusable for
drinking but used for washing or watering. For example, beach water is not
suitable for drinking because of its high salinity but it can be used to
generate hydroelectricity. Therefore, usable water may not be potable. Usable
water could be sea water (salt water) which is used for power generation,
mining and other large scale industrial purposes; it could be fresh water used
for irrigation farming, washing, bathing and other purposes while potable water
on the other hand is water safe enough for drinking and food preparation.
Potable water can be got from
freshwater outlets such as rivers, stream, rainfall and ground water. So on one
hand we have fresh water which is usable and on another hand we have potable
water which is usable too. The difference in the two is the level of
purification or the processes it passes through to rid it of contaminants.
Types
of Domestic water sources
As we have mentioned
above/previously, water is used for both domestic and industrial purposes but
our focus here would be sources for domestic use.
- Stream
- Pond
- Ground water e.g. Well and oasis/spring
- Rainfall
From the list above, streams are
still suitable sources of water for people in the rural areas and villages.
Most chores: washing, bathing and even sanitary purposes are carried out at the
stream. Some areas depend largely on rainwater especially when they do not have
access to the stream, pond and other ground water. Rainwater is believed to be
the purest type of water as it drops directly from the sky but this is not
always the case as it comes in contact with chemicals (pollution from sewage,
factories, emissions, carbon monoxide, sulphuric acid and other impurities)
which somewhat contaminates it.
In Lagos today, apart from water supplied publicly by the corporation, 50% of Lagosians depend on self-supply from Wells and boreholes.
In Lagos today, apart from water supplied publicly by the corporation, 50% of Lagosians depend on self-supply from Wells and boreholes.
Now
different regions have different soil texture which in turn affects the quality
of the ground water in them. Some soils have minerals or other chemical
components which make it unsafe for use.
The question is: how can we get the water rid of the chemicals or contaminants and make it safe for use or consumption? Also, how do we guard against these pollutants from contaminating the limited source of fresh water that is so unevenly distributed around us?
We need to manage our waste more and avoid dumping refuse into our water bodies, avoid oil spillages, etc.
Here is when FM comes into play. An engineer in this field comes up with different methods of purification that is suitable for different water texture!
The question is: how can we get the water rid of the chemicals or contaminants and make it safe for use or consumption? Also, how do we guard against these pollutants from contaminating the limited source of fresh water that is so unevenly distributed around us?
We need to manage our waste more and avoid dumping refuse into our water bodies, avoid oil spillages, etc.
Here is when FM comes into play. An engineer in this field comes up with different methods of purification that is suitable for different water texture!
Stages of purification
Before water is purified or treated, it first needs to be pumped from whatever source and stored in a reservoir or directed to a holding tank or container. Then the water is checked for other surface particles like sticks, stones, leaves. The engineer checks the pH level of the water to determine the alkalinity and acidity of the water depending on its source. The pH is best at close to 7 (neither alkaline nor acidic) or 7.5 to 8.4 (moderately alkaline); anything below 7 makes it acidic.
When all of the above is considered and determined, the FM engineer then decides on the best method to apply to treat or purify the water.
Water purification is the process of removing undesirable chemicals, biological contaminants, suspended solids and gases from contaminated water to make it useable for specific purposes. There are various methods of purification divided into 4 four broad groups namely: separation, filtration, chemicals and oxidation.
Separation: this involves methods such as distillation, ultraviolet radiation, sedimentation and boiling.
Filtration: involves the use of ceramic or porous stone, carbon block, pressure sand, reverse osmosis and paper or cloth filters.
Before water is purified or treated, it first needs to be pumped from whatever source and stored in a reservoir or directed to a holding tank or container. Then the water is checked for other surface particles like sticks, stones, leaves. The engineer checks the pH level of the water to determine the alkalinity and acidity of the water depending on its source. The pH is best at close to 7 (neither alkaline nor acidic) or 7.5 to 8.4 (moderately alkaline); anything below 7 makes it acidic.
When all of the above is considered and determined, the FM engineer then decides on the best method to apply to treat or purify the water.
Water purification is the process of removing undesirable chemicals, biological contaminants, suspended solids and gases from contaminated water to make it useable for specific purposes. There are various methods of purification divided into 4 four broad groups namely: separation, filtration, chemicals and oxidation.
Separation: this involves methods such as distillation, ultraviolet radiation, sedimentation and boiling.
Filtration: involves the use of ceramic or porous stone, carbon block, pressure sand, reverse osmosis and paper or cloth filters.
CARBON BLACK
Chemicals: chemicals
such as chlorine, lime, bromine, hydrogen peroxide, nontoxic organic acids are
used through coagulation-flocculation and ion exchange.
Oxidation: involves the use of ozone, aeration and oxidizing filter.
Oxidation: involves the use of ozone, aeration and oxidizing filter.
OXIDISING FILTER
Now do yourself a
favor by contacting us for your water treatment and management.
The importance of this cannot be over emphasized as it contributes solely to the health of users and this is just an avenue to create awareness and sensitize people on the kind of water they consume.
In conclusion, Water is very precious to human survival. There seems to be an abundance of it but it is our responsibility to protect the sources from which all the water is found from pollution (e.g. using fossil fuels can impact all forms of water; crude oil leaks, acid rain generated from coal burning, dumping of chemical waste into water bodies). When acid rain falls to the ground, it flows into surface water which in turn penetrates into the ground and its evaporated back into the air. The cycle can go on and on and more water gets contaminated. As I have mentioned earlier, most of the water on Earth is saline which cannot be used to meet domestic needs, so Fresh water will always be in demand as a valuable resource.
The importance of this cannot be over emphasized as it contributes solely to the health of users and this is just an avenue to create awareness and sensitize people on the kind of water they consume.
In conclusion, Water is very precious to human survival. There seems to be an abundance of it but it is our responsibility to protect the sources from which all the water is found from pollution (e.g. using fossil fuels can impact all forms of water; crude oil leaks, acid rain generated from coal burning, dumping of chemical waste into water bodies). When acid rain falls to the ground, it flows into surface water which in turn penetrates into the ground and its evaporated back into the air. The cycle can go on and on and more water gets contaminated. As I have mentioned earlier, most of the water on Earth is saline which cannot be used to meet domestic needs, so Fresh water will always be in demand as a valuable resource.
For more information on Great Heights Limited email us on
info@greatheightslimited.com
