Water & Its importance

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a) describe the importance of the water cycle

b) discuss the methods of water purification (include desalination via
reverse osmosis)
c) discuss the importance of dissolved oxygen to aquatic life
d) discuss the sources of water pollution (include nitrates, phosphates, heavy
metals (lead and mercury), cyanides, trace metals, pesticides, herbicides,
petroleum reside, suspended particles)
e) assess the impact of the pollutants in part d) above on the aquatic
environment
Module 3 Water & its importance
Water Cycle

Water cycle is essential for the continued supply of water on the earths
surface. Our bodies are made of about 65% water and thus all metabolic
activities require water to be present. We cannot easily make MORE water,
so we must depend on the water cycle for our present supply of it.
Water Purification
In many cases, the water obtained from nature is not pure enough for our
needs, whether it is drinking or bathing or even for industrial processes.
Hence a series of purification steps must be conducted in order for the water
to be used for our various purposes.
Please note that desalination can also be considered a process of water
purification via the use of reverse osmosis

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Flocculation
Water from raw water reservoirs (natural
sources) is collected in large tanks/basins
for a sufficient time period to permit large
particulate matter to settle down at the
bottom. This material is removed and then
the water is treated with flocculants such
aluminium sulphate which form a floc that
precipitates and carriers with it
microorganisms on the surface.
Suspended organic matter settle onto the
bottom of the tanks/basins. In this ways
most substances that impart turbidity to
water get coagulated.
Sedimentation
The water, after coagulation, is left in settling basin further for sufficient period to
allow sedimentation of remaining materials. Sedimentation however considerably
reduces microbial population of the water aside from removing most of the
suspended particles.
Filtration
After sedimentation, water is subjected to sand filters to remove flocks of living
organisms. The process of filtration is highly critical and important as it can remove
protozoan cysts and also about 98-99% of bacteria from water. The water may also
be filtered through activated charcoal to remove potentially toxic organic
compounds and organic compounds that impart undesirable colour and/or taste to
the water.
Disinfection
Disinfection is the final step is municipal water purification and it ensures that no
pathogenic microorganisms are carried through water. For water supplies of small
towns and localities sodium or calcium hypochlorite (NaOCl or CaOCl2
respectively) may be used to disinfect water, but for larger cities, however,
chloroamine (as opposed to chlorine) is now the method for disinfection.

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Importance of Dissolved Oxygen

All aquatic life depend on the amount of dissolved oxygen (DO) present. This
allows all aquatic life to conduct their metabolic processes essential to life. High
levels of DO (above 90%) indicate healthy water bodies. DO can also be related
indirectly to biological oxygen demand (BOD), the higher the DO, the lower the
BOD. Once DO levels begin to drop, this usually indicates some form of pollution
is present in the water body.

Sources of water pollution

Pollutant
Nitrates

Source
Manmade fertilisers

Phosphates

Manmade fertilisers and

detergents
Use of lead pipes causes
dissolved lead ions to form
in the water, improper
disposal of mercury from
industrial processes
Improper disposal after
used in making fabrics
mining waste and tailings,
landfills, or hazardous
waste dumps.
Run off from backyards,
farms and golf courses

Heavy metals (e.g.

lead and mercury)

Cyanides
Trace metals
Pesticides and
herbicides
Petroleum residues
Suspended particles

From underground storage

tanks
Industrial processes e.g.
cement manufacture

Effect on environment
Drinking water that gets
contaminated with nitrates can
prove fatal especially to infants
that drink formula milk as it
restricts the amount of oxygen
that reaches the brain causing
the blue baby syndrome as
well as eutrophication.
Eutrophication
Lead affects the nervous
system and can ultimately lead
to death. Mercury stunts
physical development of
organisms
Acts as a poison
Hazardous effects on nervous
systems and physical
development
Accumulate up the food chain
and cause impairment of
physical development of
aquatic life
Similar to pesticides
Respiratory problems, covers
wide area in fine dust

Water & Its importance

Practice Questions
1.

2.

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