๐ง Introduction
Water may look clean and still contain harmful microorganisms or other impurities. This is why water collected from some rivers, streams, wells and other sources may need to be treated before drinking.
Water treatment helps make water safer, while water protection prevents our valuable water sources from becoming polluted in the first place.
๐ฏ What You’ll Learn
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
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Explain the meaning and importance of water treatment.
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Describe simple methods of treating water.
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Identify ways of protecting water sources.
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Explain individual and community responsibilities for safe water.
๐ฆ What Is Water Treatment?
Water treatment is the process of removing or reducing harmful substances and disease-causing organisms from water to make it safer for use.
Untreated water may contain:
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Dirt and sediments
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Harmful microorganisms
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Chemicals
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Waste materials
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Other impurities
Drinking contaminated water can expose people to diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery.
For this reason, water from an unsafe or uncertain source should be properly treated before drinking.
๐งช Simple Methods of Treating Water
Different methods can be used to improve the safety of water.
1. Filtration
Filtration involves passing water through a suitable filter to remove suspended particles and some impurities.
A filter may help remove materials such as:
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Sand
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Dirt
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Small particles
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Sediments
However, filtration alone may not remove all harmful microorganisms. Depending on the water source and filter used, further treatment may be necessary.
๐ฅ 2. Boiling
Boiling is a useful household method for making microbiologically unsafe water safer.
Water is heated sufficiently to destroy many disease-causing microorganisms.
Boiled water should then be:
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Allowed to cool naturally.
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Kept in a clean, covered container.
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Protected from contamination before drinking.
A person should not put dirty cups or hands into stored treated water.
๐ 3. Water-Purification Tablets
Approved water-treatment tablets can be used to disinfect water.
They contain substances that help destroy harmful microorganisms.
When using purification tablets:
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Use the correct quantity for the amount of water.
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Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Allow the recommended treatment time before drinking.
Using too little or too much is not appropriate. Instructions should always be followed carefully.
๐ญ Treatment of Water on a Larger Scale
Water supplied to communities may undergo several treatment processes before reaching consumers.
These can include processes designed to:
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Remove suspended particles.
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Reduce harmful microorganisms.
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Improve water quality.
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Make the water safer for consumption.
Even after treatment, water must be transported and stored carefully to prevent recontamination.
๐ก๏ธ Why Should We Protect Water Sources?
Treating polluted water is important, but preventing pollution is even better.
Water sources provide water for:
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Drinking
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Cooking
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Washing
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Agriculture
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Industry
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Other economic activities
When rivers, streams, lakes and wells become polluted, communities may lose access to safe and affordable water.
Protecting water sources therefore supports both human health and national development.
๐ณ Ways of Protecting Water Sources
1. Avoid Dumping Waste into Water
Household rubbish, plastics and other waste should never be dumped into rivers, streams or drains that lead to water bodies.
Waste should be disposed of at approved places.
๐ป 2. Practise Good Sanitation
People should use proper toilet facilities and avoid open defecation near water sources.
Human waste can introduce dangerous microorganisms into water.
๐ญ 3. Control Industrial Waste
Industries should properly treat their wastewater and other harmful materials before disposal.
Releasing untreated industrial waste into water bodies can harm both humans and aquatic organisms.
๐พ 4. Protect Water from Agricultural Pollution
Farmers should use fertilisers, pesticides and other agricultural chemicals responsibly.
Farming practices should reduce the possibility of chemicals being washed into nearby rivers and streams.
โ๏ธ 5. Prevent Harmful Activities Near Water Bodies
Activities such as irresponsible mining, dumping refuse and washing vehicles directly in water bodies should be discouraged.
Communities should report serious pollution to the appropriate authorities.
๐ค Everyone Has a Role
Protecting water is not the responsibility of government alone.
Individuals should:
Use water responsibly, practise good sanitation and avoid polluting water sources.
Families should:
Keep stored drinking water clean and teach children good hygiene and environmental habits.
Communities should:
Protect local water sources, organise clean-up activities and discourage pollution.
Government and authorities should:
Provide sanitation facilities, enforce environmental regulations and educate the public.
When everyone plays a part, water resources are easier to protect.
๐ง Think About It
A family collects water from a well. The water looks clear, so they assume it is safe. However, an overflowing waste area is located close to the well.
Is clear-looking water necessarily safe?
No. Harmful microorganisms and some contaminants cannot be seen with the naked eye.
What should the family and community do?
They should protect the well from contamination, improve sanitation around it and ensure water of uncertain safety is appropriately treated before drinking.
The key lesson is simple:
Safe water depends on both proper treatment and protection of the water source.
๐ Key Words
Water Treatment: Processes used to make water safer for use.
Filtration: Passing water through a suitable material or device to remove particles and impurities.
Purification: Removing or destroying harmful substances or organisms in water.
Contamination: Making something unsafe or impure by introducing harmful substances or organisms.
Sanitation: Practices and facilities that promote cleanliness and safe waste disposal.
๐ Lesson Summary
Water treatment helps remove or reduce harmful substances and disease-causing organisms from water. Common methods include filtration, boiling and the proper use of approved water-purification tablets.
However, treating water alone is not enough. Rivers, streams, wells and other water sources must also be protected from household waste, human waste, industrial pollution, agricultural chemicals and harmful activities.
Safe water is therefore a shared responsibility involving individuals, families, communities, businesses and government.
๐ฏ Let’s Practise!
A. Multiple Choice
1. Why may clear-looking water still require treatment?
A. Clear water cannot be stored.
B. It may contain invisible harmful microorganisms.
C. All clear water contains industrial waste.
D. Treatment changes water into rain.
2. Which method uses heat to destroy many harmful microorganisms in water?
A. Boiling
B. Storage
C. Irrigation
D. Drainage
3. After boiling drinking water, the BEST action is to
A. add untreated water to cool it quickly.
B. leave it uncovered overnight.
C. store it in a clean, covered container.
D. pour it into a dirty container.
4. Which action BEST protects a community’s water source?
A. Washing vehicles in the stream
B. Dumping waste downstream
C. Increasing the use of chemicals near rivers
D. Preventing waste and pollutants from entering the water
5. Why should instructions be followed when using water-purification tablets?
A. To ensure the tablets are used correctly and safely
B. To make the water change colour
C. To increase the amount of water available
D. To remove the need for sanitation
B. True or False
6. Filtration may remove particles from water, but additional treatment may sometimes be necessary. ________
7. Protecting water sources is the responsibility of government alone. ________
8. Treated water can become contaminated again if it is stored carelessly. ________
C. Short Answer
9. State three methods that can be used to treat water.
10. Suggest four ways a community can protect its water sources from pollution.
Answers: 1 B | 2 A | 3 C | 4 D | 5 A | 6 True | 7 False | 8 True