Water is the source of life, flowing through our world, sustaining ecosystems, and maintaining human well-being, yet have you ever stopped to consider the true quality of this seemingly commonplace substance?
Join us on an exploration of the captivating realm of water quality, where we’ll delve into its intricacies, unravel its importance, and shed light on its multifaceted significance, as we end off national water quality month.
So, what is Water Quality?
Imagine water as a canvas, painted with an array of chemical, physical, and biological attributes. This intricate blend defines water quality, determining its suitability for various purposes such as drinking business, or recreational activities. Water quality can be categorized into three types, each with its own distinct significance:
Potable Water
This type of water is safe for human consumption and meets established standards for drinking water such as national standards like South Africa’s SANS241:2015 or international standards such as the standards set by the World Health Organisation (W.H.O).
Contaminated (Polluted) Water
This water is tainted by pollutants and harmful substances, making it unsafe for various uses. Examples of these pollutants and substances can vary from visible plastics to chemicals at a microscopic level. Water treatment is critical in order to address these types of issues.
Infected Water
This refers to water that contains harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, biofilm, viruses and even E-coli posing health risks to those who come into contact with it. Specialised water treatment is your best option to purify this type of water.
Why do different types of water matter to you?
Despite Earth’s surface being mostly covered by water bodies, only a small fraction (about 2.5 percent) is freshwater. This already scarce resource is further reduced by the presence of glaciers, ice caps, and inaccessible groundwater.
From this minute fraction, only about 1.2 percent is easily accessible for human use, per statistics highlighted by the UN Environment Programme. This scarcity underscores the critical need to preserve the quality of freshwater. Furthermore, aquatic ecosystems provide us with a plethora of benefits beyond mere sustenance, including recreation, biodiversity, and ecosystem services that are essential for our well-being.
What impacts this precious resource?
The quality of water is shaped not only by nature’s forces but also by human impact. Natural factors such as temperature, rainfall, and interactions with the Earth’s crust contribute to water quality. However, human activities have introduced a range of challenges. Waste discharge, plastic pollution, sediment runoff from construction sites, and urban development can all negatively affect water quality. Understanding these pressures is essential for addressing water quality degradation and preserving this vital resource for current and future generations.
How do we improve our water quality?
Water treatment plays a crucial role in enhancing water quality by removing contaminants and impurities that may pose risks to human health and the environment. Through processes like filtration, reverse osmosis, and disinfection, water treatment plants effectively eliminate harmful bacteria, viruses, sediments, chemicals, and pollutants from various water sources. This transformation results in safer and more potable water that meets regulatory standards for consumption or use. By removing these impurities, water treatment not only safeguards public health but also ensures the availability of clean water for various purposes, ranging from drinking and sanitation to industrial and agricultural needs, thereby contributing to the overall well-being and sustainability of communities.
In addition to water treatment, proactive environmental measures are essential to improve water sources. These include sustainable agriculture, responsible waste disposal, wetland protection, and green infrastructure. These approaches prevent pollutants from entering water bodies, complementing water treatment for more sustainable water quality management.
Understanding and measuring water quality.
Scientific experts establish water quality criteria to guide us in understanding how pollutants interact with water. These criteria establish safe levels of contaminants to ensure that water remains suitable for its intended uses. Organizations such as the South African National Standards (SANS) nationally, and the World Health Organization (WHO) internationally contribute to these guidelines, ensuring that water is safe and appropriate for diverse applications, from drinking to recreational activities.
What kinds of water can be treated?
Enhancing water security is a paramount endeavour in safeguarding the well-being of both people and the environment. A pivotal aspect of this pursuit involves comprehensive water treatment across diverse sources. From the hidden depths of boreholes and wellpoints to the flowing currents of rivers and dams, and even the ethereal gift of rain harvesting, every water source holds the potential to quench our thirst sustainably. However, the journey doesn’t end there. Wastewater treatment plays a crucial role in recycling and reclaiming water from domestic and industrial usage, mitigating the strain on freshwater sources.
The Key to Purity: Water Purification Solutions
Water purification solutions hold the key to transforming your water's quality. Exploring platforms like www.wps.co.za offers opportunities to engage with water experts, unravel the complexities of water quality's importance, and gain a deeper understanding of your water treatment requirements for likes of large agricultural, commercial, large residential, and industrial needs.
