Grade 7 → Water and its importance → Water Purification ↓
Filtration
Filtration is one of the most important ways to purify water and make it safe to drink. This process involves separating solid impurities from water using a filter. Filters come in all sizes and are made of different materials, each with the same purpose: removing unwanted substances from water.
What is filtration?
In simple terms, filtration is a process used to separate solids from liquids by passing the mixture through a barrier. This barrier is known as the filter. The filter allows the liquid portion, or filtrate, to pass through while retaining the solid particles, called residues or particulates.
How filtration works
Filtration works like this: The filter is usually made of permeable (or semi-permeable) material such as paper, cloth, or sand. When a mixture of a solid and a liquid (for example, muddy water) is poured over the filter, the liquid component passes through, while the solid particles are trapped. Imagine you are pouring tea through a strainer; the tea leaves are caught by the strainer, and the tea flows into your cup.
Materials used in filtration
Filters can be made from a variety of materials, depending on what is being filtered and for what purpose:
- Paper: Commonly used in laboratories and coffee filters. They are effective for small-scale filtration.
- Sand: Often used for water purification in water treatment plants. Sand filters can trap large particles and are very efficient.
- Charcoal: Also known as carbon filters, these are used in home water filters because they can absorb a wide range of impurities.
- Cloth: Used in everyday situations such as straining juice with cheesecloth. These can be reused after cleaning.
Types of filtration methods
Filtration can be done in several ways, depending on the desired result:
- Simple filtration: This is the most basic form of filtration where gravity pulls the liquid through the filter.
- Vacuum filtration: A vacuum pump is used to pull the liquid through the filter more quickly.
- Pressure filtration: Pressure is applied to a fluid to force it through a filter, common in industrial settings.
Importance of filtration in water purification
Filtration plays an important role in providing clean drinking water. Here are some benefits:
- Removal of solid impurities: Filtration effectively removes solid impurities such as sand, silt, and clay, leaving the water clear.
- Improves taste and odor: Filtration helps remove substances that can cause bad taste and odor.
- Germ reduction: Although filtration is not effective against all germs, it can reduce some bacteria and protozoa when combined with other treatment processes.
Example: If you take muddy water from a river and pass it through a piece of cloth, the water that comes out will contain fewer particles. This is because the cloth acts as a filter.
Obtaining safe drinking water
Filtration is often combined with other purification methods to ensure that water is safe to drink:
- Distillation: Boiling water to make steam and then re-condensing it to remove impurities.
- Chlorination: The addition of chlorine to kill bacteria and other microorganisms.
- UV treatment: Exposing water to ultraviolet light to kill or inactivate microorganisms.
Filtration at home
You can perform simple filtration at home using everyday items. For example, a coffee filter or clean cloth can be used to filter liquids.
- Take a bowl and place a wire or plastic strainer over it.
- Place a coffee filter or piece of clean cloth over the strainer.
- Pour the liquid mixture into it. The filter will trap larger particles and impurities.
Conclusion
Filtration is an important process in water purification. It removes unwanted particles, improves taste and odor, and plays a vital role in providing clean and safe drinking water. Understanding the process and its importance helps us understand how far tap water travels before it reaches us.
Although filtration is effective, it is often used in conjunction with other treatment methods to ensure comprehensive water purification. Access to clean water is essential to life, health, and well-being, making filtration an important topic in both elementary chemistry and everyday life.