What factors affect water quality?

Most people in the US get their water from a reservoir or

an aquifer.

Water QualityWater Quality: measurement of substances in water besides the water molecules.Certain substances (Fe) can affect the taste or color of the water but are not harmful unless present in large quantities. Other substances (E Coli) are harmful in very small amounts.Concentration: amount of one substance in a certain volume of another substance.

Factors That Affect QualityAcidity: determined by the pH of a substance. Pure water has a pH of 7=neutral. Can cause problems by dissolving lead from pipes it passes through.

Hardness: combined level of 2 minerals-calcium and magnesium. Does not form suds.Disease-Causing Organisms: E Coli and high coliform counts

Treating Drinking Water1. Filtration2. Coagulation3. Settling Basins4. Second Filtration5. Chlorination6. Aeration7. Additional Treatment

Treating Drinking Water

Treating Drinking Water

Water DistributionAfter treatment, water is ready to be distributed to homes and businesses. From a treatment plant, water goes to a central pumping station.Water pressure causes water to move through a system of pipes.Pumping stations are designed to keep water pressure steady throughout the system.

Treating WastewaterSewage: wastewater and different kinds of waste in it.2 ways communities deal with sewage: wastewater treatment plants and septic systems or tanks.Most communities have a wastewater treatment plant. In rural areas septic tanks are used.Septic Tank: an underground tank containing bacteria that treats wastewater.

A Septic System