Treatment FAQ

why is chloride added to drinking water at water treatment plants

by Lacy Schiller Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Chlorination is the process of adding chlorine to drinking water to kill parasites, bacteria, and viruses. Different processes can be used to achieve safe levels of chlorine in drinking water.

Full Answer

How can chloride content of water used for irrigation be controlled?

The chloride content of waters used for irrigation of agricultural crops is generally controlled along with the total salinity of the water.

Why do small water treatment plants produce chloramines?

Small water treatment plants frequently only add a fraction of the required chlorine (in relation to ammonium ions) and end up not properly disinfecting their water supplies. The type of chloramines that are formed is dependent on the pH of the water prior to the addition of chlorine.

What is the purpose of chlorination in water treatment?

The main purpose of chlorination is to disinfect water, but it also has many other benefits. Unlike some of the other disinfection methods like ozonation and ultraviolet radiation, chlorination is able to provide a residual to reduce the chance of pathogen regrowth in water storage tanks or within the water distribution system.

What is the residual requirement of chlorine in a water treatment plant?

Residual requirements vary, but typical residual goal would be for 0.2 to 1 mg/L. In addition to disinfection, chlorine can be effectively used to oxidize iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide to facilitate their removal, to reduce color in water, and to aid in such treatment processes as sedimentation and filtration.

What causes chloride in streams?

During low-flow conditions, when groundwater is the dominant source of water to streams, high concentrations of chloride in groundwater in this aquifer system can cause chloride in streams to exceed the chronic aquatic criterion developed to protect fish and other aquatic life.

How does irrigation affect salts?

Excess irrigation, especially in arid areas, can increase the concentration of salts in shallow roundwater by flushing concentrated salts in soil own to the groundwater table. (Credit: Jeff Vanuga, USDA NRCS) Human activities can affect concentrations of dissolved solids in groundwater.

What are the factors that affect the concentration of dissolved solids in groundwater?

Groundwater age is just one of the factors that can affect the concentration of dissolved solids. Other factors include climate, geology, and human actions. Climate affects concentrations of dissolved solids in groundwater through precipitation, evaporation, and groundwater recharge.

Why is groundwater more likely to have dissolved solids than surface water?

That’s because when groundwater moves through the rocks and sediments that make up an aquifer, some of the minerals in those rocks and sediment dissolve, a process called “weathering”.

How does geology affect dissolved solids concentration?

Geology affects dissolved solids concentrations because some types of rocks weather more readily than others. Some sedimentary rocks, such as shales, carbonate rocks, and evaporites, are more soluble and easily weathered than quartz-rich sandstones or crystalline rocks such as granites.

What are the dissolved solids in water?

Calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, sulfate, chloride, nitrate, and silica typically make up most of the dissolved solids in water. Combinations of these ions—sodium and chloride, for example—form salts, and salinity is another term commonly used to describe the dissolved solids content of water.

How have human activities changed the water quality of rivers?

Geological Survey—concentrations of some water- quality constituents have increased while others have decreased.

Why is chlorine used as a disinfectant?

Chlorine and pH. In general terms, the lower the pH of the water, the more effective chlorine is as a disinfectant. Again, speaking generally, a reason for dosing effectively is that chlorination raises the pH of water, so overdosing often raises the pH to levels where chlorine does not work effectively as a disinfectant.

Which is more effective for disinfecting: chlorine or hypochlorite?

Chemically, this has to do with the relationship between the two constituents of chlorine that together are often referred to as “free chlorine”—hypochlorus acid and hypochlorite ions. Hypochlorus acid is the more effective disinfectant and it dominates at lower pH levels, so a lower pH is preferred for disinfection.

What is the best way to disinfect water?

Other methods of disinfection such as ultraviolet and ozonation are effective disinfectants but they do not provide a residual to prevent pathogen regrowth as chlorination does. When treatment plants are distant from the point of use, chlorination is the best way to provide safe water to the end user. Municipal water providers usually rely on measurements of “chlorine residual”—the amount of chlorine remaining in the water after it reaches its destination—as proof of safety. Residual requirements vary, but typical residual goal would be for 0.2 to 1 mg/L.

What is calcium hypochlorite?

Calcium hypochlorite is manufactured from chlorine gas. It is best known as chlorine pellets and granules in residential water treatment. It is a white solid with a very pungent odor and it can create enough heat to explode, so it must not be stored near wood, cloth or petroleum products. Calcium hypochlorite increases the pH of the water being treated.

How much chlorine is needed for disinfection?

Residual requirements vary, but typical residual goal would be for 0.2 to 1 mg/L. In addition to disinfection, chlorine can be effectively used to oxidize iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide to facilitate their removal, to reduce color in water, and to aid in such treatment processes as sedimentation and filtration.

What is the best way to provide safe water to the end user?

When treatment plants are distant from the point of use, chlorination is the best way to provide safe water to the end user. Municipal water providers usually rely on measurements of “chlorine residual”—the amount of chlorine remaining in the water after it reaches its destination—as proof of safety. Residual requirements vary, but typical residual ...

Which is the least expensive chlorine?

Chlorine gas, which is actually sold as an amber-colored compressed liquid, is the least expensive form of chlorine and is, consequently, the preferred type for municipal water systems.

Why is chlorination important in water treatment?

In order to combat waterborne diseases, different disinfection methods are used to inactivate pathogens. Along with other water treatment processes such as coagulation, sedimentation, and filtration, chlorination creates water that is safe for public consumption.

What is the purpose of adding chlorine to water?

The main objective of this chlorine addition is to disinfect the water and maintain chlorine residuals that will remain in the water as it travels through the distribution system.

What is the combination of free chorine and hypochlorite?

At lower pH levels, the hypochlorous acid will dominate. The combination of hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions makes up what is called ‘free chorine.’. Free chlorine has a high oxidation potential and is a more effective disinfectant than other forms of chlorine, such as chloramines.

What is chlorine breakpoint?

Residual Chlorine, Breakpoint. Any type of chlorine that is added to water during the treatment process will result in the formation of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochlorite ions (OCl-), which are the main disinfecting compounds in chlorinated water. More detail is provided later on in this fact sheet.

How is calcium hypochlorite made?

Calcium hypochlorite (CaOCl) is made up of the calcium salts of hypochlorous acid. It is produced by dissolving chlorine gas (Cl 2) into a solution of calcium oxide (CaO) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Calcium hypochlorite is a white, corrosive solid that comes either in tablet form or as a granular powder. Calcium hypochlorite is very stable, and when packaged properly, large amounts can be purchased and stored until needed. The chemical is very corrosive however, and thus requires proper handling when being used to treat water. Calcium hypochlorite needs to be stored in a dry area and kept away from organic materials. It cannot be stored near wood, cloth or petrol because the combination of calcium hypochlorite and organic material can create enough heat for an explosion. It must also be kept away from moisture because the tablets/granular powder readily adsorb moisture and will form (toxic) chlorine gas as a result. Calcium hypochlorite has a very strong chlorine odour – something that should be kept in mind when placing them in storage.

What happens after chlorine demand is met?

After the breakpoint, any additional chlorine added will result in a free chlorine residual proportional to the amount of chlorine added.

How much calcium hypochlorite is needed for water treatment?

Compared to the 1-16 mg/L required with chlorine gas, only 0.5-5 mg/L of calcium hypochlorite is required. When calcium hypochlorite is added to water, hypochlorite and calcium ions are produced.

Why is coagulation important in water treatment?

It is, however, an important primary step in the water treatment process, because coagulation removes many of the particles, such as dissolved organic carbon, that make water difficult to disinfect. Because coagulation removes some of the dissolved substances, less chlorine must be added to disinfect the water.

What is added to ferric chloride?

If ferric chloride is used, iron and chloride are added. And if aluminum sulphate is used, aluminum and sulphate are added. The majority of municipal water treatment plants use aluminum sulphate as the coagulation chemical. Generally, water treatment facilities have the coagulation process set up so that the coagulant chemicals are removed with ...

What is the most widely used water treatment technology?

Many water treatment plants use a combination of coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection to provide clean, safe drinking water to the public. Worldwide, a combination of coagulation, sedimentation and filtration is the most widely applied water treatment technology, and has been used since the early 20th century.

What is residual water?

Residuals are the by-products that remain in the water after substances are added and reactions occur within the water. The particular residuals depend on the coagulant that is used. If ferric sulphate is used, iron and sulphate are added to the water. If ferric chloride is used, iron and chloride are added.

What is slow sand filtration?

that are used. Slow sand filtration removes bacteria, protozoa and viruses, and produces. essentially clean water, though it is still advisable to use a disinfectant as a precautionary. measure.

Why are pathogens removed from water?

Usually, the pathogens that are removed from the water are removed because they are attached to the dissolved substances that are removed by coagulation. In the picture below, the coagulants have been added to the water, and the particles are starting to bind together and settle to the bottom.

How is fine sand removed from water?

Particles with a diameter greater than 100 microns (or 0.1 millimetre), such as fine sand, are removed through sand filtration. As the pore size decreases, a greater proportion of material is retained as the water passes through the filter.

What is the main additive used in water fluoridation?

Since the early 1950s, FSA has been the main additive used for water fluoridation in the United States. The favorable cost and high purity of FSA make it a popular additive. Sodium fluorosilicate and sodium fluoride come from processing FSA , or from processing hydrogen fluoride.

What are the EPA requirements for fluoride?

All additives used by water treatment plants, including fluoride additives, must meet strict quality standards that assure the public’s safety. These additives are subject to a stringent system of standards, testing, and certificates by AWWA and NSF International.

What is the gas used to make fluorosilicic acid?

The fluoride gas is captured and used to create fluorosilicic acid. According to the American Water Works Association Standards Committee on Fluorides, the sources of fluoride products used for water fluoridation in the United States are as follows: Approximately 90% are produced during the process of extracting phosphate from phosphoric ore.

What is the solution to neutralize FSA?

FSA can be partially neutralized by either table salt (sodium chloride) or caustic soda to get sodium fluorosilicate. If enough caustic soda is added to completely neutralize the fluorosilicate, the result is sodium fluoride. About 90% of the sodium fluoride used in the United States comes from FSA.

What is the EPA's authority?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has authority over safe community drinking water, as specified in the Safe Drinking Water Act. On the basis of the scientific study of potential harmful health effects from contaminated water, the EPA sets a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) concentration allowed for various organisms or substances.

Does the FDA regulate bottled water?

141, July 20, 1979), they do regulate the intentional addition of fluoride to bottled water and require labeling identifying the additive used.

Is bottled water a fluoride?

In 2006, FDA announced that bottled water with fluoride levels greater than 0.6 and up to 1.0 mg/L could be labeled with the following statement: “Drinking fluoridated water may reduce the risk of tooth decay.”. CDC’s fact sheet, Bottled Water and Fluoride, provides additional information on FDA requirements.

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