5.

6 Water Purification
i.

ii.
iii.
iv.

Natural sources of water

Water from natural sources contains
impurities such as dissolved substances,
microorganisms, decaying and dissolved
substances, dissolved substances and wastes.
Some microorganisms in water can cause
diseases such as cholera, dysentery and
typhoid.
Some dissolved substances in the water are
poisonous and bad for our health.
Therefore, water must be treated before it can
be used for drinking. Water can be treated
by :
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Filtration
Boiling
Chlorination
Distillation

Source
Rainwater
Ground
water

Contents in water
A natural water that is clean
compared to other sources
Originates from rainwater that has
seeped into ground

River water
Pond water
Sea water

Contains dissolved substances

Stagnant. It is dirtier than river
water.
The dirtiest of all natural sources of
water, it is too salty

Filtration
Advantages:
1.
Remove suspended solid particles
Disadvantages:
1.
Cannot kill microorganism
2.
Cannot remove dissolved substances
Filtration is a process which uses fine sand,
coarse sand, small stones and pebbles. The
liquid that goes through the filter is called
filtrate and the solid material left behind is
called residue.

Boiling And Chlorination

Similarities between boiling and
chlorination:
i. Kill microorganisms in water
ii. Does not remove suspended solid
particles
iii. Does not remove dissolved substances
Differences between boiling and
chlorination:
a) Boling can only supply a small amount
of water safe for drinking at home.
b) Chlorination is used to treat large
quantities of water such as swimming
pool.

Distillation
Advantages:
i. Kill microorganisms
ii. Remove suspended solid particles
iii. Remove dissolved substances
Disadvantages:
i. No minerals making the water
unsuitable for drinking
ii. Expensive

The latest technology used in water

purification
1. Filtering Water with Nanotechnology

Last year, 2014, Nano Sun of Singapores

Nanyang Technological University developed a
multi-functional water filtration membrane.
This latest water filter technology uses
titanium dioxide nanotechnology instead of

the usual polymer-based water filtration

membranes.
It sounds scientific to ordinary citizens like us
but simply put, it kills bacteria and breaks
down organic compounds using the ultraviolet
rays or more commonly known to us as, the
sun. In addition, it claims to be environmental
friendly as it reduces biofouling or the
accumulation of microorganisms that usually
grow on wet surfaces.

2. Lifestraw

Filter and water technologies are not limited

to developing countries. As we mentioned
earlier, these technologies surface because
there is a need and there is a growing need in
underdeveloped countries for cheaper
gadgets to help them get clean water. One of
these is the Lifestraw, introduced in 2008 for
household use.
This simple contraption is designed for
individual use. Its as simple as hanging it
around your neck! Use the Lifestraw as you
would a normal straw, sip through it. But what
is inside are 2 filters, a membrane and

charcoal filter. These two elements take care

of purifying through the water while it is being
sucked upwards.