Water is one of Earth’s most precious resource. All living things need water. In this report we will be discussing which water is safe for drinking, how the quality of water is tested, where it is stored and collected, how it is purified and using an alternative supply to tap water.
Safe water is water that will not harm you if you come in contact with it. This type of water is free from harmful micro-organisms and substances. This water would also have had to be tested and met certain requirements before the government deemed it safe to drink. In Cape Town water is stored and collected all over the Cape. They are stored at a dam,river or reservoir. Then the water will be taken to a treatment plant where the water will be purified and then …show more content…
The chemicals are removed from the water during the treatment process and do not remain in the final treated water. The high pH (alkalinity) levels of the water at this stage help to destroy any bacteria and viruses that may be present in the water. Settlement (sedimentation): The particles are allowed to settle at the bottom of settlement tanks and are later removed as sludge. The sludge is then dried and removed to a waste disposal site.
Stabilisation: Lime and/or carbon dioxide gas is added to water to adjust the water pH levels and softness.
Disinfection: Chlorine is added to kill any pathogens. It is important that a small amount of residual chlorine remains in the final water, to keep it safe from the possible introduction of any pathogens while in the water distribution network.
The quality of Cape Town’s water is tested at The Water Laboratory which is equipped with some of the most sophisticated water testing instrumentation in the water industry, but also consists of a group of highly skilled, qualified and experienced scientists and technicians who ensure that the consumer is supplied with drinking water of acceptable quality. (Water Quality, n/d ;pg
Safe water is water that will not harm you if you come in contact with it. This type of water is free from harmful micro-organisms and substances. This water would also have had to be tested and met certain requirements before the government deemed it safe to drink. In Cape Town water is stored and collected all over the Cape. They are stored at a dam,river or reservoir. Then the water will be taken to a treatment plant where the water will be purified and then …show more content…
The chemicals are removed from the water during the treatment process and do not remain in the final treated water. The high pH (alkalinity) levels of the water at this stage help to destroy any bacteria and viruses that may be present in the water. Settlement (sedimentation): The particles are allowed to settle at the bottom of settlement tanks and are later removed as sludge. The sludge is then dried and removed to a waste disposal site.
Stabilisation: Lime and/or carbon dioxide gas is added to water to adjust the water pH levels and softness.
Disinfection: Chlorine is added to kill any pathogens. It is important that a small amount of residual chlorine remains in the final water, to keep it safe from the possible introduction of any pathogens while in the water distribution network.
The quality of Cape Town’s water is tested at The Water Laboratory which is equipped with some of the most sophisticated water testing instrumentation in the water industry, but also consists of a group of highly skilled, qualified and experienced scientists and technicians who ensure that the consumer is supplied with drinking water of acceptable quality. (Water Quality, n/d ;pg