Water Treatment Terms and Definitions

The process of purifying or altering the characteristics of water to make it suitable for specific purposes, such as drinking, industrial use, or environmental protection

A water purification technology that uses a semipermeable membrane to remove dissolved salts, ions, and other impurities from water, producing highly purified water. It is commonly used in desalination and producing drinking water from brackish or seawater sources

The process of allowing suspended particles or impurities in water to settle down to the bottom of a tank or basin, usually facilitated by gravity. Sedimentation is often a preliminary step before filtration

The measure of water's capacity to neutralize acids and maintain its pH stability. It primarily consists of bicarbonate, carbonate, and hydroxide ions in water and is important for maintaining water quality and preventing corrosion

A carbon filter, often called an activated carbon filter, is a water treatment device that utilizes activated carbon to eliminate impurities, chemicals, and contaminants from water. Activated carbon, with its high porosity and large surface area, effectively adsorbs a wide range of substances

Any substance or impurity present in water that may be harmful to human health or the environment, such as bacteria, viruses, chemicals, metals, or sediments

The process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater or brackish water to produce freshwater suitable for drinking, irrigation, or industrial use. Desalination methods include reverse osmosis, distillation, and electrodialysis

A measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of water on a scale of 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, values below 7 are acidic, and values above 7 are alkaline. pH is an important parameter to monitor in water treatment processes

The process of gently mixing water with chemicals called flocculants to promote the formation of larger flocs or clumps of particles, which can be easily removed through sedimentation or filtration

RO membranes are essential components of reverse osmosis (RO) systems, used for advanced water purification. These semi-permeable membranes play a pivotal role in eliminating various contaminants from water, including dissolved salts, minerals, heavy metals, and organic substances

The process of removing solid particles, suspended matter, or impurities from water using a physical barrier or medium, such as sand, activated carbon, or membranes

The process of reducing the concentration of calcium, magnesium, and other hardness-causing minerals in water. Water softening helps prevent scale buildup in pipes, appliances, and industrial equipment

The process of adding chlorine or chlorine-based compounds to water to disinfect it and kill or neutralize harmful microorganisms. Chlorination is a common method for treating drinking water and controlling the growth of bacteria in swimming pools

A water treatment process that involves the exchange of ions between a solid resin and the water, removing undesirable ions and replacing them with more acceptable ions. It is commonly used for water softening and the removal of specific contaminants like heavy metals.

The process of killing or inactivating disease-causing microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites, to ensure the safety of water for human consumption or industrial use. Common disinfection methods include chlorination, UV irradiation, and ozonation

The process of adding chemicals, called coagulants, to water to destabilize and clump together suspended particles, allowing easier removal through filtration or sedimentation

A highly porous form of carbon with a large surface area that can adsorb or remove organic compounds, chemicals, and some heavy metals from water. Activated carbon is widely used in water treatment for taste and odor removal, as well as the removal of certain contaminants

UV disinfection is a water treatment method that employs ultraviolet (UV) light to deactivate microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa in water.