Question

Assignment

Briefly discuss the differences in the quality of water obtained from groundwater sources and water obtained from surface water sources (50 word maximum). What kinds of treatment processes might be needed for groundwater intended for potable use? For water taken from a mountain reservoir and intended for potable use? For water taken from the river and intended for potable use?

Answer 1

Firstly for clarification purpose potable water means water fit for drinking.

Water obtained from groundwater sources are rich in undesirable gases like CO2 and H2S (hence aeration needed) and multivalent ions like Ca2+ and Mg2+ (hence softening needed) while there is absence of suspended particles too and water obtained from surface water sources are rich in suspended particles ( hence sedimentation and coagulation required) and they are usually rich in O2 and hence aeration doesn't required.

Following major treatment processes are required for different type of water-

GROUND WATER TREATMENT FOR POTABLE USE-

1- Aeration 2- Softening 3- Filtration 4- Disinfection

WATER FROM MOUNTAIN RESERVOIR

1- Filtration 2- Disinfection

WATER TAKEN FROM RIVER

1- Plain Sedimentation 2- Coagulation 3- Filtration 4- Disinfection 5- Wholesome water 6- Distribution