Evaluating some Quality Parameters of a Surface Water Source by Applying Simple Treatment Processes

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to identify the most convenient treatment applied to a surface water source which is permanently under the influence of contamination, in order to reduce organic matter, temporary hardness and TNG/ml water. Following the sedimentation process, temporary hardness values are close to those of the control samples (raw water) but, reductions and extremely significant differences (*** P <0.001) were found after coagulation. The same, extremely significant differences are found in the CCOMn parameter after the same process, coagulation. Applying just a single treatment like: sedimentation, coagulation of raw water without being followed by disinfection does not guarantee the removal or reduction of the total number of germs in water. Disinfection with UV dose (3.40-3.88 mj/cm2) of control samples indicates a significant reduction in bacterial load depending on exposure time, with the best values obtained at the 30 minute exposure. The same positive results were obtained from samples subjected to sedimentation where, compared to the initial values (4159.2±1860.0 TNG/ml water), bacterial load is reduced by 78-99.82%. In 60% of samples coagulated and after that exposed to 30 minutes of UV irradiation, was found 0 TNG / ml water. In conclusion, the best option for reducing TNG/ml water is coagulation using alum, followed by UV disinfection for 30 minutes.