Alternative Water Treatment Methods

There are a variety of alternative water treatment methods available. They range from filters and natural coagulants to solar disinfection and storage. Each has its own pros and cons, and each has some drawbacks. Here are some of the main factors to consider when choosing a non-chemical system. These methods may not be the best choice for your home, especially if your water is very hard.

Natural coagulants

Natural coagulants are a green alternative to chemical coagulants, which can be quite expensive. These coagulants are abundantly available and have several positive attributes. These include being biodegradable, inexpensive and environmentally friendly. This makes them an attractive option for water treatment. These substances are also good for human health, and can be obtained locally.

These substances work to reduce turbidity and total coliform counts. In addition, they are more environmentally friendly, which means they can be used at home. Natural coagulants can be blended with alum for the best results.

Solar disinfection

Solar disinfection is a simple and low-cost water treatment method. It involves placing clear water in transparent containers with UV-transmitting materials in direct sunlight for six hours or two consecutive days, depending on the conditions. The ultraviolet light's germicidal effect and solar radiation's increase in water temperature kill disease-causing organisms. The SODIS method is widely used in developing countries and disaster-affected areas.

The efficiency of SODIS has been evaluated in both controlled laboratory and field conditions, for wastewater, freshwater, and seawater. Compared to controls, SODIS has shown good performance in microbial inactivation. The effectiveness of SODIS has also been evaluated for use on water sourced from ponds, wastewater, and public drinking water supplies.

Sedimentation

Sedimentation is a water treatment method that is used to remove suspended solids from water. During the process, sediments are removed from the water by gravity. The sediments are then deposited in sedimentation tanks. This type of treatment is commonly used for drinking water and wastewater.

While sedimentation does not eliminate microbial contamination, it can be a useful alternative for water treatment. In many cases, this treatment is combined with another purification process, such as filtration. This is done because sedimentation does not consistently eliminate microbial contamination. Water that has been treated with sedimentation still requires further purification steps, such as chlorination.

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