BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER

Microorganisms – organisms which can’t be seen with our naked eye. They are classified into:
1. Eukaryotes - any cell or organism that possesses a clearly defined nucleus.
2. Eubacteria - or “true” bacteria, are single-celled prokaryotic micro-organisms that have a range of
characteristics and are found in various conditions throughout all parts of the world.
3. Archaebacteria - a type of single-cell organism and have the ability to survive in extreme
environments, including very salty, very acidic, and very hot surroundings.
Most common microorganisms found in water:
1. Bacteria - comes from Greek word rod or staff.
 Most common shapes are: Rod shape or bacilli, spherical or cocci and spiral or spirilla
• Pathogenic bacteria - disease-causing bacteria

• Non-pathogenic bacteria – usually harmless bacteria

• Aerobic bacteria – requires oxygen to survive

• Anaerobic bacteria – thrive in the absence of oxygen

• Facultative bacteria – can survive with or without oxygen

• Coliform bacteria - coliforms are primarily used as a method for indicating water quality.

2. Algae - are single-celled plants. When conditions are right, they reproduce rapidly and cover
streams, lakes, and reservoirs in large floating colonies called blooms. Algal blooms are usually
characteristic of a eutrophic lake.
3. Fungi - helps in the decomposition of carbon in biosphere. Without the presence of fungi to break
down organic material, the carbon cycle would soon cease to exist and organic mater starts to
accumulate.
 4. Protozoa - single-cell eukaryotic microorganisms without cell walls. They feed on bacteria and
other microorganisms and are essential in the purification of streams.
Water Treatment Methods - methods used in the treatment of water to make it safe and attractive for
the consumer.
Physical Treatment - brought about by the application of physical forces such as gravity settling.
1. Screening – Removing large floating and suspended debris such as logs and branches that may be
present at intake locations especially in rivers and streams.
Coarse screens are used to protect pumps from floating solids. Fine screens are used to remove
floating and suspended material
2. Aeration- used to add and remove gases that may be under- or supersaturated with respect to the
water. Air stripping is used for the removal of VOC’S
Operations in aeration:
• Addition of Oxygen

• Removal of Carbon Dioxide

 • Removal of Hydrogen Sulfide

• Removal of Volatile oils

Principal Types of Aeration Devices:

a. Gravity Aerators - water is allowed to fall by gravity such that a large area of water is
exposed to atmosphere, sometimes aided by turbulence.
b. Spray or fountain - also known as spray aerators with special nozzles to produce a fine
spray.
c. Injection/Diffusers - it consists of a tank with perforated pipes, tubes or diffuser plates,
fixed at the bottom to release fine air bubbles from compressor unit.
d. Mechanical Aerators - mixing paddles as in flocculation are used. Paddles may be either
submerged or at the surface.
3. Mixing- used to mix chemicals and gases that may be added for treatment
Types of mixing devices:
 a. Mechanical Mixer
b. In-line Static Mixer
c. In-line Mechanical Mixer
4. Flocculation- the process of creating conditions for particulates to come together to form flocs of
solids and then settle in treated water.
5. Sedimentation – used to remove particles such as silt and sand or flocculated suspensions.
6. Filtration- used to filter the residual solids that remain in water after settling.
7. Membrane filtration/processes – used for removal of natural organic compounds and SOC’s.
Also, used for water softening.
 Prepared by: ​Junna Mae C.
Morales ​

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