Multi-Barrier Approach- Five Steps to Clean Water

Today is World Water Day. Water safety is one of the biggest concerns around the globe. It is our responsibility to protect water quality from its source to consumption. According to the World Health Organisation, the best way to treat the water is by following household water treatment and safe storage (HWTS). This multi-barrier approach ensures water protection at every step from the water source to household storage and consumption. 

Step 1: Water Source Protection

Unfortunately, water gets polluted at its source or point of collection through poor site selection, poor construction, deterioration or lack of hygiene or poor sanitation. This issue can be addressed by the following:

• Regular cleaning of the area around the water source
• Moving toilets away from and downstream of water sources
• Building fences around open water sources
• Lining wells and 
• Building proper drainage for wastewater around taps and wells. 

Step 2: Sedimentation

Turbid water looks cloudy, dirty or muddy that is caused by sand, silt or clay.  It has more pathogens that are not recommended for drinking as it can make us fall sick. Sedimentation is a physical water treatment process that reduces the turbidity of water. This process can be quickened by adding special chemicals or native plants popularly known as coagulants to the water. The most common chemicals include aluminum sulfate, polyaluminum chloride, and ferric sulfate. 

Step 3: Filtration

The next method is filtration to further reduce turbidity and remove pathogens. It is a physical process that involves passing water through filter media. The most common filters used by households include cloth, sand, ceramic pot, ceramic candle, sawyer, and Kanchan arsenic. 

Step 4: Disinfection

The next step is disinfecting the water by one or more of the following ways: chlorine disinfection, solar, and boiling. This step is essential to kill any remaining pathogens.

Step 5: Safe Water Storage

After disinfecting the water, it is important to store it safely so that it does not get recontaminated. If it is not done so, the treated water quality may become worse than the source water and can be harmful. We use water storage tanks to store water to meet the daily water needs. Therefore, invest in a good quality plastic water storage tank from Penguin Tank for the safe storage of water. These tanks serve the purpose for both domestic and commercial water storage tank in India. 

On this World Water Day, ensure that the water that you are using is safe and healthy. Treat water well to lead a healthy life.