WATER TREATMENT PLANT

 The treatment given to water before supplying it to

the public for domestic use is called water
treatment i.e. the complete process of removal of
undesirable matter ( various impurities ) in order to
make the water acceptable for domestic or
industrial use.
 Water contains number of impurities which are
removed before it is used.
 Absolutely clear water is also not good for health,
because our body requires certain minerals and if
they are present in water, then it is not require to
remove them.
 Only those impurities are removed which are
harmful for health.
 Since, treatment is a costly affair various
purification ( treatment ) units are constructed and
maintained by public bodies like Municipality,
Corporation, Industrial development boards or
government’s.

1.Screening
 Water obtained from the surface source often
contains suspended as well as floating matter.
 Floating matter include leaves and branches of
trees, sticks, matter thrown by the people on the
upstream of the source.
 Screen are provided to exclude such matter from
water before it is admitted to treatment plant .
 Types of screens:
 a)Coarse screen or Bar screen, and. b)Fine
Screens

a)Coarse Screens and Bar Screens

 They trap coaser floating materials.
 They are in the form of bar grill, consisting of
25mm sizes bars spaced at 75 to 100 mm centre to
centre.
 These are kept inclined at 45° to 60° for easy
cleaning.
 The velocity of water through screen is not more
than 0.8 to 1 m/sec.

b)Fine Screens
 Fine Screens are provided after Bar screen.
Sometimes, only Fine screen are provided without
Coarse screen.
 To avoid the clogging of Fine screen a device is
provided to clean it continuously
 Hence, fine screen are provided on drums of
perforated materials having 6 mm diameter holes.
 Since, the drums rotate and remove materials
continuously the process is known as Automatic
Straining.

2.Aeration
 Aeration is the process of bringing the water in
intimate contact with air, the water absorbs
oxygen from the air.
 While doing so the carbon dioxide gas is removed
upto 70% and bacteria are also killed upto certain
 extent in this process. Also partly, iron, manganese
and H2S gas are also removed from water.

Objectives of Aeration
1. Removal of hydrogen sulphide from raw water.
2. Removal of gases which are formed by organic
decomposition.
3. Removal of chlorine odour.
4. Removal of carbon dioxide to the extent of 70%.
5. Providing oxygen to iron and manganese to
oxidise, and thus precipitate.

Advantages of Aeration
1. This method is very simple and requires simple
equipment having no moving parts.
2. No skilled labour is required for the operations.
3. It does not add anything to the mineral content of
water because no chemicals are required in this
process.
4. It is very cheap and economical process.

Methods of Aeration
1.Cascades Aerator
 They consist of concrete steps over which water
comes down in thin sheet. Weir may be provided at
the edge of each step.
  Thin sheet of water which comes down over steps
comes in contact with the atmosphere.

2.Spray Nozzles
 In this case, nozzles discharge water under
pressure. Jets coming out of Nozzles have
considerable surface area which comes in contact
with the atmosphere.
 Through these jet have considerable surface area,
contact time is very less. Loss of water head is
considerable and space requirement is also more
for spray nozzle.
 Inclined spray is preferred because there is no
interference with gap.
3. Air Diffusion Method
 This method consists of concrete tanks to which air
is supplied by diffuser at the bottom and sides of
tanks.
 Air bubbles come in contact with water. Time of
contact can be increased by spiral flow, caused in
water.
 Such aerators can be used for mixing and

flocculation.
Advantages
 It removes about 75% of the carbon.
 It increases oxygen content to greater extent.
Disadvantages
 It requires large area.
  Large numbers of equipments are required and the
project becomes costlier.
4.Trickling Bed Method
 In this method, water is allowed to flow through
beds of coke or stone supported on perforated
trays.
5.Aeration fountain
 An aeration fountain aims at bringing water in
intimate contact with air.
Functions
 It helps in killing bacteria to some extent due to
agitation of water.
 It results in less corrosion to pipes because 75% of
carbon dioxide is liberated as in this process
oxygen is absorbed by water.
 An aeration fountain easily removes hydrogen
sulphide and water becomes free from odour.
 It also oxidizes iron and manganese present in
water.
Construction
 Aeration fountain consists of a water pipe, nozzle
and stop cocks.

 When water is forced under pressure though the

nozzle, it sprays in the atmosphere.
 In the process, it comes in contact with oxygen
present in air.
 The water becomes free from impurities such as
bad smell, unpleasant taste.
  It helps in removing carbon dioxide by 90%.
 The nozzles are operated at pressures of 0.7 to 1.4
kg/cm².
 The discharge through nozzle depends upon its
design and the available head of water.

Limitations of Aeration
 It Is Inefficient to remove or reduce taste and
odours caused by;
(1) Non-volatile substances like oils of algae.
(II)Chemicals discharged in Industrial wastes.
 Due to over oxygenation, water becomes corrosive
and deaeration may be required.
 Iron and manganese can be precipitated by
aeration only when organic matter is absent.
 Aeration is economical only in warmer climatic
months.
 Possibility of air-borne contamination in water.

3.Sedimentation
  If water contains suspended impurities of larger
size, it is very economical to remove them bythe
preliminary sedimentation.
 The suspended impurities make water turbid;
therefore, when they will be removed, more
uniform water will be available for further
treatment process.
 Hence, all particles having more specific gravity
than liquid will move vertically downwards due to
gravitational force. This is the main principle of
sedimentation.
 'Sedimentation' is the process of reducing turbidity
of water by removal of suspended impurities, so
that the suspended particles/impurities may settle
down at the bottom due to force of gravity.
Objects of Sedimentation
 To remove suspended Impurities from water in
large quantity.
 To lighten the loads on subsequent process.
 To reduce turbidity of water.
 To make sand particles or impurities settle down at
bottom due to force of gravity.
 To give treatment to raw water.
Plain Sedimentation
 The suspended particles present in water are
difficult to remove as particles contain numerous
Impurities. As a result of this, turbidity increases.

 'Plain sedimentation' is the process of removing

suspended matters from water by keeping it
 quiescent in tanks, so that suspended matters may
settle down at bottom, due to force of gravity.

Advantages of Plain Sedimentation

 It lightens the load on subsequent process.
 The operation of subsequent purification process
can be controlled in a better way, because plain
sedimentation delivers less variable quality of
water.
 The cost of cleaning chemical coagulation basins
is reduced.
 No chemicals are lost with sludge discharged from
the plain-settling basin.
 Less quantity of chemicals are required in
subsequent treatment process.
Sedimentation with Coagulation
Necessity of Sedimentation with Coagulation
 Very fine suspended particles are not removed by
plain sedimentation. Silt particle of 0.06 mm size
require 10 hrs. to settle in 3 m deep plain
sedimentation tank and 0.002 mm particle will
require about 4 days for settling.
 This settling time is Impracticable, because water
cannot be settled for such a long time.
 In addition to fine particles of suspended matters,
water also contains electrically charged colloidal
matter which is continuously in motion and never
settles down due to gravitational force.
 When matter contains such fine clay and colloidal
particles, it becomes necessary to apply such a
 process which can easily remove these from water.
Such impurities can be removed by ‘Sedimentation
with coagulation .
Principle behind sedimentation with coagulation
 Coagulants are chemical, added to water to water
to remove the colloidal particles or impurities of
raw water and reduce turbidity of water. Principle
of coagulation can be explained by two
considerations.
1. Floc formation, 2. Electrical charges.
1. Floc formation: When coagulant is added to water
and mixed thoroughly and thick gelatinous
precipitate 'Floc' is formed. Flocattracts and arrests the
colloidal particles and makes them settle down.
2. Electrical charges: Ions from floc possess positive
electric charge. Colloidal particles possess negatively
charged ions. The floc thus attracts colloidal particles
and makes them settle down.

4.Coagulation
 The process of mixing certain chemicals in water to
neutralize the electrical charge and to form an
insoluble, gelatinous, flocculent precipitate for
absorbing suspended and colloidal particles or
Impurities is called coagulation.
Types of Coagulants
1.Chemical coagulants
2.Ferric coagulants
1. Chemical coagulants
Salts of aluminium
1. Alum 2. Filter alum 3. Sodium aluminate
Alum
 It is a dirty grey solid available in the form of lump
containing 17% aluminate sulphate.
 This is easily available and widely used in water
works. Filter alum is a very effective coagulant and
is extensively used.
 It is cheap and forms a good stable floc. The sludge
formed can be reused in coagulation.
 It does not need skilled supervision or handling.
The following are the advantages of using alum as
coagulant
 It is cheap.
 it does not require skilled supervision.
 Better floc is formed.
 Clean water can be obtained.
 It reduces taste and odour in addition to turbidity.
2.Ferric Coagulants
1. Ferrous sulphate, 2 Ferric sulphate, 3. Ferric
chloride
 Copperas (ferrous sulphate) is a good coagulant,
cheaper than alum and is good for waters whose
 pH is about 8.5. But, it is not useful for coloured
raw water.
 Ferric salts are used as coagulants with ferric
chioride and ferric sulphate or a mixture of both.
 Ferric coagulants are good oxidizing agents.
 They remove hydrogen sulphate, tastes and odours
from water.
 Chlorinated copperas is a good coagulant and is
very effective even with less alkalinity of water.

4.Clariflocculator
 Water enters in tank through central pipe.
Alternate paddles are rotated by means of motor
and a drive head.
 Water comes out in clarifying portion where floc
settles down with time, the water reaches effluent
weir.
 Flocculation and clariflocculation takes place only
in one settling tank.
 The clariflocculation provides number of gentle
contacts between flocculation particles, which are
necessary for successful formation of floc.
 The water enters from Inlet and leaves through
outlet. The detention time for best results should
be between 30-60 minutes.
Filtration
 Filtration is a process of removing particulate and
bacterial impurities which could not be removed in
earlier processes, from water by passing it through
a porous medium.
 It is an important stage in the purification of water.
Objects of Filtration
 To remove colloidal and suspended matter
remaining after sedimentation.
 To remove bacterial load.
 To remove colour, odour, Iron and manganese.
 To make water sparkling.
 To alter the chemical characteristics of water.
Theory of Filtration
 The phenomena, in which filtration process
removes bacteria, colour, odour, iron, manganese
and makes water sparkling, can be explained on
the basis of the following four actions.
1. Mechanical straining
 Sand consist of small pores, therefore, suspended
particles, which are larger in size, cannot pass
through sand bed and are removed.
 Small particles of suspended impurities that move
through the pores in sand come in contact with
sand surface and adhere causing further reduction
in pore size.
 This increases the straining action.
  Unsettled floc from coagulation tank form a mat on
the top of the sand bed, which further arrests very
fine suspended particles and removes them from
water.
2.Sedimentation and adsorption
 The voids in the sand act like small sedimentation
tanks.
 The particles of impurities are arrested in voids due
to the following reasons:
(a) The impurities and sand particles attract each
other.
(b) The impurities, mainly organic suspensions, stick
to the . sand particles due to presence of
gelatinous matter around
the sand formed by colonies of bacteria and colloidal
matter. caught previously.
3.Biological Action
 Suspended impurities contain some portion of
organic Impurities such as algae, plankton etc.
which are food for the various types of micro-
organisms.
 These organisms act on the organic matter and
cause chemical and biological changes to water.
4.Electrotlytic Action
 Sand particles and the particles of impurities carry
electrical charges of opposite nature. They,
therefore, attract each other and are neutralized.
 The characteristics of water are thus changed.
  After a few days, the electric charge of the sand
gets exhausted. The filter media is then washed or
renewed. The top portion of sand bed is
responsible for the filtration of water. The efficiency
of filtration depends upon the bacteria present
below the dirty skin.
Filter Media
 Filter materials consists of (a) sand, (b) gravel, (c)
anthracite, (d) locally available materials and (e)
Garnet sand or ilmenite.
(a) Sand: It is widely used material and is cheap. It
should have the following properties 1. It should be
obtained from hard rocks, such as basalt, quartz.
 It should be free from clay, loam, lime and organic
matter etc.
 It should be of uniform size and nature. 4. It should
be resistant and hard.
 If placed in hydrochloric acid for 24 hours, it should
not lose more than 5% of its weight.
 It should have proper grading.
 It should trap the waste matter effectively.
(b) Gravel: The gravel, If provided, supports the sand
and permits the filtered water to pass freely to the
under drains and also allows wash water to move
uniformly upwards. Gravel used in filter should be hard,
durable, rounded, free from flat, thin or long pieces and
impurities. The density of gravel should be about 1600
k/m³.
(c) Anthracite: It is more costly than sand. But it is
lighter than sand. Crushed anthracite alone, or jointly
mixed with sand may be used as filter media.
(d) Locally available materials: Locally available
materials like shredded coconut husks, burnt rice
husks, crushed glass, slag and metallic ores can be
used as filter media.
(e) Garnet sand or ilmenite: It is heavier than normal
sand (specific gravity = 4.2) and its use is
recommended in mixed-media filter only.
Classification of Filters
1.Gravity filter
2.Slow sand filter
3.Rapid sand filter
4.Pressure filter
Gravity filter
Slow sand filter
 Slow sand filters were first introduced in England in
the year 1829. They were widely used till the rapid
gravity sand filters were invented.
 These are becoming obsolete now-a-days. Due to
smaller filtration rate, they required large areas
and large quantities of filtering materials.
 Hence, they become costly and uneconomical,
especially for treating water on large scale.
 These consists of the following component parts:
 (1) Enclosure tank, (2) Under-drainage
system,
 (3) Base materials, (4) Filter media of
sand ,
(5) Appurtenances.
 A slow sand filter consists of a water tight tank
containing a layer of sand of 750 mm to 900 mm
thickness, the effective size of sand being 0.2 to
0.4 mm. The sand overlies layers of gravel of 30 to
75 cm thickness.

 The gravel is usually placed in four layers for a

total depth of 300 mm using graded size 2 to 45
mm.
 The gravel is placed over a system of under-drains
with open joints which lead the water to the outlet.
 A central drain is provided and laterals are
connected to it.
 The surface area of a slow sand filter varies from
100-200 m² or even more.
Operation of Slow Sand Filter
 The water enters the filter through the Inlet
chamber. After fiitration, it is collected in the outlet
chamber. The outlet chamber is fitted with a
telescopic tube.
 The filter is filled with water to a depth of 1 to 1.5
m above the surface of the sand.
 The water is passed through the layers at a rate of
100-150 //hr/m², which is the same as the rate of
feeding.
 The filter head, which is the difference of level
between the water level in the filter tank and outlet
chamber, is generally 100-150 mm for a new or
freshly cleaned filter. But as the filter gets clogged,
the head is Increased by adjusting manually the
telescopic tube upto a loss of head of 600 mm.
This gives a constant discharge through the filter,
but when the filter head exceeds the permissible
value (upto 1.3 m), the filter needs cleaning.

Efficiency of Slow Sand Filter

 Bacterial removal efficiency 98 to 99.9%.
 Less efficient in removing colour and taste - 20
to 25%.
 Turbidity removal is also less. Turbidity upto 50
mg// only can be removed. Slow
sand filters are not suitable for sedimented
waters having turbidity more than 50 to 60 mg/l.
 They are effective in removing earthy odours
and tastes caused by growth of algae.
Advantages of slow sand filter
  Bacteria removal efficiency is comparatively high:
98-99.9% of bacterial load removed.
 Cost is less.
 Period of cleaning is 1-3 months.
Disadvantages of slow sand filter
 Slow rate of filtration.
 Large surface area required, hence uneconomical
and costly.
 Removal of colour and turbidity is less.
Suitability of slow sand filter
 Suitable for very small towns where land is cheap
and rate of demand is less.
Rapid sand filter
 Rapid sand filters are also known as mechanical
filters. They allows a high rate of filtration usually
3000 to 6000 lit/m²/hour.
 The following are the main parts of rapid sand
filter.
( 1) Enclosure tank: A watertight tank is constructed
either of masonry or concrete. The sides and floor are
also coated with waterproof material. The depth of tank
is about 2.5 m to 3.5 m.
(2) Under-drainage system: There are various forms
of under drainage system of rapid sand filter and most
of them are patented by manufacture.
(3) Base materials: It is gravel placed on the top of
under drainage system. The gravel to be used for base
material should be clean and free from dust, silt, clay
and vegetable matter.
 (4) Filter media of sand: A layer of sand is placed
above gravel. The depth of sand layer varies from 600
mm to 900 mm.
(5) Appurtenances: It consists of air compressors
wash water troughs and rate controller.
 A rapid sand filter consists of a rectangular tank
unit of size 3 x 4 m² or of surface area 10 to 80 m²
and is provided with media of very hard sand and
gravel of different grades in layers.
 The layer of sand has an effective size of 0.35 to
0.55 mm and uniformity of coefficient of 1.3-1.7.

Operations/Working of Rapid Sand Filter

 The water from coagulation sedimentation tank
enters the unit through inlet pipe and is uniformly
distributed on the whole sand bed.
 Water after passing through the sand bed is
collected through the under-drainage system in the
filtered water well. The outlet chamber in this fired
also equipped with filter rate controller.
 In the beginning, the loss of head is very simile as
the bed gets clogged, the loss of head Increases
and the rate of controller is adjusted to a limit.
 When the limit is reached, the rate of filtration
becomes very low and the filter bed requires back
washing. Fig. 2.17 shows rapid sand filter.
Back washing of rapid sand filter
 A separate overhead tank is contracted near the
filter house to store the water required for back
 washing of filter. A pump is installed to lift the
sufficient quantity of filtered water to be stores in
wash water tank.
Operations
 Initially, the valves (1) and (4) are closed and
valves (5) and (6) are opened out.
 The wash water and compressed air are thus
forced upwards from the under-drainage through
the gravel and sand beds. Valve (5) is closed after
supplying the required amount of air. The dirty
water, resulting from washings, overflows into the
wash water troughs and is removed by opening
the valve (3) through the inlet chamber into the
wash water drain.
 Process of back washing is generally continued for
a period of 3 to 5 minutes.
 Some remains of wash water are still present into
the voids of the filter and must be removed. It is
generally removed by valve (1).
Efficiency or Performance of Rapid Sand Filter
1. Colour: Rapid sand filter is efficient in removal of
colour. The intensity of colour is reduced below three on
cobalt scale. Colourless waters can be produced, if
polyelectrolytes are added to water before filtration.
2. Taste and odours: These are not removed in rapid
sand filter
3. Turbidity: These filters can reduce the turbidity to the
extent of 1 N.T U., if the turbidity of applied raw water
is less than 35 to 40 mg// which is possible due to
chemically assisted sedimentation.
4. Iron and Manganese: Oxidized or oxidizing iron is
removed but it is less efficient in removing manganese
5. Bacteria removal efficiency: In case of low bacterial
loadings, it removes bacteria to the extent of 90 99%.
In comparison to slow sand filters, rapid filters are less
efficient Chlorination is recommended after filtration.
6. Wash water consumption: The filter is said to be
efficient, if wash water consumption does not exceed
2% of the filtered quantity.
Pressure Filter
 These filters work on the same principle as that of
rapid sand filters.
 These are closed vessels and must be air tight.
 In pressure filter, sand bed is usually provided with
450 600 mm thickness.
 Pressure filters are of two types according to their
position,i.e (a) Vertical pressure filter and (b)
Horizontal pressure filter.
 In pressure filters, the pipe grids or false bottoms,
under-drains and gravel layers are arranged similar
to that of rapid sand filter.
 The horizontal pressure filters are available in sizes
from 2 m to 2.5 m, whereas the size of vertical
type of pressure filter varies from 0.4 m to 2.5 m in
diameter and length upto 2.5 m to 7.5 m.
Suitability of Pressure Filters:
 These filters are not suitable for public water
supply scheme. Pressure filters are suitable for
Industrial plants and swimming pools.
  They are less efficient in removing bacteria and
turbidity in comparison with rapid sand filter.
 These filters treat about 6000 to 15000 lit/hr./m² of
filter area.
 They can be also used in colonies with few houses,
railway stations etc.
Advantages of Pressure Filter:
1. These filters prove to be ideal for small estates.
2. They require less number of fittings.
3. They require very small space for their installation.
4. They do not require further pumping as the filtered
water comes out under pressure.
5. They do not require manual operation or supervision.
6. When these filters are employed, the sedimentation
and coagulant tanks are not required.
Disadvantages of Pressure Filter
1. It is very difficult to inspect the filter as well as clean
and replace the sand.
2. Feeding, mixing and flocculation is very difficult since
the rate of filtration is very high.
3. Adequate contact time is not possible to provide in
case of direct supplies.
4. Effectiveness of backwashing during washing process
is not visible.
5. It needs high quality raw water, otherwise filter
clogs.
6. It requires additional pumps for pumping the water in
them.

4.Disinfection
 The process by which harmful (pathogenic)
bacteria are destroyed to make water safe for
drinking is called disinfection. Chemicals used for
this purpose are called disinfectants.
 Even filtered water contains a small percentage of
diseases producing bacteria and therefore the
disinfection becomes necessary which destroy
bacteria.
 Sometimes, source is of good quality and
municipality can not offer treatment of water or in
case of emergencies when the complete treatment
is not possible to be given to the water, it is final
safeguard after filtration.
 Sterilization is a process in which the total and
complete destruction of all types of bacteria takes
place.
Objects of Disinfection
Disinfection is done to remove the following impurities,
and
( a) Bacterial
(b) Taste, colour and odour.
a) Bacterial Impurities
 Therefore, the water which comes out from the
filter may contain some disease causing bacteria in
addition to the useful bacteria.
  The filters are unable to remove all the disease
causing bacteria.
 Before the water is supplied to the public, it is
utmost necessary to kill all the disease causing
bacteria using the chemicals called disinfectants.
(b) Colour, Taste and Odour:

 Disinfectants have been found to remove the

colour, taste and odour from water in addition to
removal of harmful bacteria.
 The following disinfectants are used in water
purification:
(a) Chlorine,
(b) Potassium permanganate,
(c) Ozone,
(e) Iodine and bromine.
(d) Ultraviolet rays,
The Requirements of Good Disinfectants
(a) They should be economical and easily available.
(b) They should not require high skill and costly
equipments for their application. pathogenic organisms
from the water and make it
(c) They should destroy all the harmful perfectly safe
for use.
(d) They should not take more time for killing
pathogens, but do their task within the required time at
normal temperature.
(e) After their treatment, water should not become toxic
and objectionable to the user.
(f) Their dose should be such that it should leave some
residual concentration for protection against
contamination in the water during its conveyance and
retention.
Methods of Disinfection
(1) By the boiling of water: When water is bolled for 15-
20 minutes, the harmful bacteria are killed and water
becomes safe for use.
Disadvantages:
(a) Boiling changes taste of water.
(b) Impractical to boil water for large treatment
plant.
Use: Above method is applicable to industries and
home at time of emergency
(2) By ultra-violet rays: Ultraviolet rays are powerful
disinfectants. They are produced by passing electric
current through mercury vapour lamp. Water is slowed
to flow in thin layer.
Disadvantage
(a) Treatment is costly.
(b) No residual action.
(c) Ineffective when turbidity is greater than 15 ppm
Use: It is used to disinfect swimming pool etc.
(3) By the use of iodine and bromine: It has been seen
that addition of iodine and bromine in the water kills all
the pathogenic bacteria. The quantity of iodine and
bromine should not exceed 8 ppm and they can kill
bacteria in minimum contact period 5 minutes. These
disinfectants are easily available in the form of pills and
are very handy
Disadvantages
(a) Treatment is costly.
(b) Produces certain taste and odour.
(4) By the use of ozone: Ozone is an unstable isotope of
oxygen It contains three atoms of oxygen and one
easily breaks away. This produces nascent oxygen
which is a powerful disinfectant. It does not produce
any taste or odour
Disadvantages:
(a) Treatment is costly.
(b) Ozone is unstable and cannot be stored for long
time.
(c) No residual disinfecting action.
(5) By the use of excess lime: Lime is usually used at
the waterworks for removing the hardness of water In
addition, excess time in the water increases the pH
value of the water. It has been noted that at pH value
more than 9.5 all the bacteria are killed.
(6) Potassium permanganate treatment: This is very
effective in killing cholera germs. But not very effective
for other bacteria. Widely used for disinfecting village
wells. Due to its oxidizing quality, it is sometimes added
in small dose 0.05 to 0.10 mg/litre in the chlorinated
water also.
Disadvantages
(a) Not effective for all bacteria.
(b) Produces coating on porcelain vessels and if
stained, difficult to remove.
(7) By silver or electro-katadyne: This is very costly
method of disinfection, hence not used passing it
through solid silver electrode tubes and passing the
current through D.C. 1.5 V battery. The introduction of
silver ions in the water by electro katadyne process is
highly disinfectant.It kill all the bacteria.

5.Chlorination
 The process of applying chlorine to water is called
chlorination. This is most commonly and widely
adopted method of disinfection. The process is
economical and cheap.
 For public water supply, chlorination has several
1. The process is cheap and economical. advantages
over other methods.
2. It is harmless to human beings.
3. It is reliable and effective.
4. Residual Cl₂ can be maintained in the water.
 The quantity of chlorine to be applied should be
correct. Too much of it will cause bad taste, and
odour Chlorination is done by chlorinator.
 The chlorine is automatically fed into the water in
proportion to the quantity of water flowing.
  The chlorine should be in contact with water for at
least 20-30 minutes before it reaches the
consumers. The reasons for it are:
1. It gives time for chlorine to kill the pathogenic
bacteria.
2.It reduces the effects of possible over-chlorination,
which causes odour and taste.
Chlorine Demand
 The difference between the amount of chlorine
added to the water and residual chlorine is called
chlorine demand. This depends on the amount of
chlorine, time of contact, pH and temperature.

Application of Chlorine
 Chlorine and its compounds are applied for
disinfection in one of the following ways depending
upon its requirement:
(a) Free chlorine. (b) Chloramines.
(c) Bleaching powder.
(a) Free Chlorine: Free chlorine is available in gaseous
or liquid form. Chlorine is stored in cylinders. 80% of
the chlorine is fed to a water supply by means of a
device called chlorinator.
Advantages of using free chlorine
(a) It can be stored for long time without loss of quality.
(b) It is very powerful and effective disinfectant.
(c) It is available cheaply.
(d) Initial cost of chlorination plant is low.
(f) Skilled supervision is not necessary for applying it.
(b) Chloramines: Chlorine is not stable in water. Hence,
it is sometimes mixed with ammonia to form stable
compound called chloramines. These have good
disinfectant quality. These are useful for disinfection in
swimming pool etc.
c) Bleaching Powder: Bleaching powder is a compound
of chlorine and contains about 35% chlorine. When
bleaching powder is used as disinfectant, it is called
hypo chlorination. Bleaching powder is available in the
form of powder. It is unstable and loses chlorine when
exposed to atmosphere. Hence, it has to be stored
carefully.
Types of Chlorination
(a) Plain Chlorination
(b) Pre chlorination
(c) Post chlorination
(d) Double chlorination
(e) Break point chlorination
(f) Super chlorination
(g) Dechlorination
(a) Plain Chlorination
 Water from deep wells, lakes, reservoirs etc. is
comparatively clear with turbidity less than 30
ppm.
 In such cases, no treatment such as sedimentation,
coagulation etc. is necessary.
  consumers other treatment, except chlorination, a
given before supplying water to the consumers, it
is called plain chlorination.
 About 0.5 ppm of chlorine is added for disinfection
of such water.
(b) Super Chlorination
 This is adopted in case of an emergency like
outbreak of epidemics or in case of waters which
are heavily polluted.
 It may be used when there are chances of water
having cysts of Histolytica.
 The huge quantity of chlorine which is added in
super-chlorination is such as to give about 1 to 2
mg/l of residue beyond break point.
(C) Dechlorination
 When water contains excess chlorine, as in the
case of super chlorination, it gives a strong odour
or taste. Thus, dechlorination is done to residual
chlorine, which is not objectionable. remove excess
undesirable chlorine greater than residue chlorine
which is not objectionable.
 This is done by the addition of sulphur dioxide or
by aeration.

(d) Break point chlorination

 Water contains the following impurities:
1.Bacteria
2.Organic Impurities
  Chlorine is required to destroy both bacteria and
organic impurities. When chlorine is applied, it first
kills the bacteria upto 'B'.
 Further addition of Cl₂ appears as residual chlorine.
The residual chlorine suddenly decreases with
emission of bad smell and objectionable taste. This
indicates that chlorine is used for oxidizing the
organic Impurities upto point 'C'.
 Again after some time, there is an increase in
residual chlorine. It indicates that oxidation of
Impurities is over.
 The point D at which both the demands are
satisfied and residual chlorine increases is called
break point.
 Beyond the break point, any further dose of
chlorine gets accumulated. The process of adding
chlorine beyond the break point is called break
point chlorination.
 In all public water supply schemes, chlorine is
added upto break point chlorination.
Advantages/Significance/Use
1. It completely oxidizes the ammonia and other
impurities of water
2. The colour of water is removed.
3. It completely destroys all the disease causing
bacteria.
4. It removes taste and odour from the water.
5. It prevents growth of weeds in water.