On average, thousands of gallons of water, produced by heavy industries or domestic sewages, go to waste on a daily basis. Most of the time, this water has a high level of pollutants, which has a direct or indirect impact on people, plants, and animals living in the nearby areas. However, with the help of water purification systems, this water can be treated, making it reusable and safe for human consumption.

Hence, in this article, we will give an overview of the types of water pollution and why industries should adopt water purification systems to rid their wastewater from water pollutants.

Types of Water Pollution

As water comes from various sources, there are multiple types of water pollutants. Some of the most common ones are:

Nutrients Pollution

Often, wastewater and sewage dumped by industries contain a high level of nutrients. Once dumped in a water body, these nutrients will nurture the growth of algae and weed in the water. This will result in the water being undrinkable and can even clog filters. Moreover, if the water is dumped in a water body where other organisms exist, for example, seas or oceans, the overgrowth of algae will take up most of the oxygen present in the water, thereby leaving the other organisms to die due to lack of oxygen.

Oxygen Depletion

Algae isn’t the only cause of oxygen depletion in water bodies. Wastewater dumped by industries contains too much biodegradable matter, which results in the growth of excess microorganisms in water bodies. Due to their excess growth, they will cause oxygen depletion in the water body, causing aerobic organisms to die. In such an environment, anaerobic organisms will flourish, producing harmful toxins such as ammonia and sulfides.

Chemical Water Pollution

Many industries work with chemicals, which eventually finds their way in the water. When industries dump this wastewater, the chemicals are dumped along with it, contaminating the entire water body. Most of these chemicals are poisonous to many forms of aquatic life, slowing their development, making them infertile, or killing them.

How Water Purification Systems Function

When it comes to industries, water purification systems are different types of equipment used to regulate and eliminate the emission of potentially hazardous substances, like particulate matter and gases, from the wastewater. A general water purification system works in four simple steps:

Step 1: Screening

Water is passed through a screen to keep large materials out of the purification equipment, as it could result in clogging the entire system.
Step 2: Flocculation

Chemicals are added to water to create a ‘floc’ like structure, wherein all the pollutants will either sink to the bottom or rise to the top allowing it to be easily removed.
Step 3: Filteration

The water will be pumped through a filter leaving the accumulated ‘floc’ behind.

Step 4: Disinfection

The water is pumped into a closed tank where chemicals like chlorine are used to destroy any leftover bacteria or microorganisms.

The need for water purification systems in industries cannot be stressed upon enough. By investing in these systems, organizations can not only play a role in protecting the environment, but they can also ensure that they maintain a safe and hygienic workp[lace for their workers.