The process of water disinfection helps remove, deactivate or kill different types of pathogenic microorganisms. Typically, microorganisms are either deactivated or destroyed, which results in the termination of the reproduction or growth. If you don’t drink water that is free of microorganisms, you may end up falling sick. Let’s find out more about it.
Sterilization is a common process used to disinfect water. However, the problem is that the sterilization process kills both harmless and harmful elements. Read on to find out more.
Media
There are many ways to disinfect water. You can find a lot of chemical and physical disinfectants in the market. The good thing about these agents is that they serve as shelters or nutrients.
Another good thing about the media is that they also remain active in the solution post the process of disinfection. Another important role of them is to prevent different pathogenic micro-organisms from multiplying in the plumbing once the process is complete.
Given below is the list of common disinfectants that you can use if you want to go for chemical disinfection methods of water.
– Alcohols
– Bromine chloride (BrCl)
– Chlorine (Cl2)
– Chlorine dioxide (ClO2)
– Fenols
– Halogens: iodene (I), bromine (Br2)
– Hydrogen peroxide
– Hypo chlorite (OCl-)
– Kaliumpermanganate (KMnO4)
– Kwartair ammonium salts
– Metals: copper (Cu2+), silver (Ag+)
– Ozone (O3)
– Soaps and detergents
– Several bases and acids
Given below are some popular physical disinfectants that can be used for water disinfection:
- Heat
- Sounds
- Gamma rays
- Electronic radiation
- UV
How does the Disinfection process work?
Typically, chemical inactivation of microorganisms in untreated or fresh water is one of the ultimate steps that help reduce the number of these microscopic elements. The combo of different water purification steps, such as oxidation, settlement, disinfection and then filtration can make the water safe for consumption.
If you are looking for an additional measure, you can apply another step after the regular process is complete. This will offer another level of protection from different types of contaminants found in the distribution system.
It’s better to go for a different method as an extra layer of filtration. The purpose of this step is to ensure that the bacteria won’t multiply while the water is distributed. Actually, the problem is that bacteria can still be found in the water post the first step. They can grow again in the water during the backflushing of the water.
Disinfection Mechanism
Typically, disinfection takes place due to the corrosion of the microorganism’s cells or changes in the enzyme activity, protoplasm and permeability. This happens due to the structural change in different enzymes.
And the good thing is that these disturbances in the activity of cells, which results in the prevention of microorganisms multiplication. Therefore, they continue to die. Aside from this, oxidizing is another method that helps demolish the harmful matter in water.
You can also get a disinfectant water machine to clean your drinking water and make it healthy for yourself.