Borehole water is purified using various methods to remove contaminants and make it safe for consumption. The most common methods include chlorination, ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, and reverse osmosis (RO).
Common Borehole Water Purification Methods
Purification Method | Description | How it Works |
---|---|---|
Chlorination | Adding chlorine to the water to kill bacteria and viruses. | Chlorine acts as a disinfectant, destroying harmful microorganisms. |
UV Disinfection | Using ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and viruses. | UV light disrupts the DNA of microorganisms, preventing them from reproducing and causing illness. |
Reverse Osmosis (RO) | A process that uses pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane to remove ions, molecules, and larger particles. | RO removes a wide range of contaminants, including salts, minerals, and microorganisms. |
Detailed Explanation of Purification Methods
- Chlorination: This involves adding chlorine to the borehole water. Chlorine effectively eliminates many harmful bacteria and viruses, making the water safer to drink.
- UV Disinfection: This method utilizes ultraviolet (UV) light to disinfect the water. The UV light damages the DNA of microorganisms, preventing them from replicating and causing illness. It's a chemical-free disinfection method.
- Reverse Osmosis (RO): RO is a more advanced purification technique. It uses a semi-permeable membrane to filter out almost all contaminants, including minerals, salts, and microorganisms. The water is forced through this membrane under pressure, leaving behind contaminants.