Potable Water
Chemistry: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 10.1.4
Potable Water
Water is a important chemical. It is used as a solvent in industry and most importantly we need to drink water to stay alive. Water is most commonly found with other substances dissolved in it, these substances can be harmful so water must be treated.
Waste or ground water
- Waste or groundwater is treated with the following steps:
- Sedimentation - removing large pieces of insoluble waste.
- Filtration - removing finer pieces of insoluble waste.
- Chlorination - adding chlorine to kill any microorganisms.
- Carbon is used to remove taste and odours.
Sea water
- Sea water is treated by distillation:
- Sea water is heated, pure water is evaporated and cooled to condense. This leaves behind any salt and other waste.
Distilled water
- In industry, water must be pure.
- This is commonly called distilled water.
- Distilled water contains no other ions or molecules that could interfere with chemical tests.
- Distilled water is used in practical chemistry rather than tap water because it contains fewer chemical impurities.
Test yourself on Potable Water
Which of these is a use of water?
Ground Water Treatment
What process is used to treat sea water?