Water purity plays a crucial role in sustainability, both in preserving environmental balance and ensuring the availability of safe and clean water resources for human health and economic activities. Water purity is defined as the state in which water is free from contaminants, pollutants, and microorganisms. Ideally, pure water consists solely of water molecules, but achieving completely pure water is challenging in practice. Water purity is one of the key factors determining water quality and is divided into several categories: chemical, microbiological, physical, organic matter, and dissolved gases.
Chemical Purity: It refers to the determination of chemical substances in the water sample, including pH value, total dissolved solids, conductivity, organic/inorganic chemicals, and heavy metals.
Microbiological Purity: This involves assessing the type and quantity of microorganisms in water, which is vital for drinking water, food production, and pharmaceuticals. Parameters like coliform bacteria, E. coli, and pathogens are critical, particularly for public health.
Physical Purity: Focuses on visible contaminants, such as turbidity, color, odor, taste, and temperature.
Organic Matter Purity: Refers to the low levels of organic matter in water, affecting its taste, smell, and color, and potentially encouraging microbial growth. This includes natural organic matter, synthetic organic compounds, dissolved organic carbon, BOD, and COD.
Gas Purity: Concerns the type and amount of gases dissolved in water, which impact its quality. Pure gases, free from unwanted pollutants, are essential for applications such as drinking water, industrial processes, and laboratory uses.
Measures to Preserve Water Purity:
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Wastewater Treatment: Involves chemical, biological, and physical processes to remove contaminants before releasing water back into nature. Filtration and disinfection are also key methods.
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Natural Treatment Methods: Utilize biological processes for purification, such as artificial wetlands and green filter systems.
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Reducing Industrial and Agricultural Pollution: Employing precision farming techniques and appropriate industrial waste treatment methods helps prevent pollutants from reaching water sources.
Importance of Water Purity in Sustainability
Water purity is critical for protecting natural resources, human health, and ecological balance. It supports Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, which aims for universal access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030. Maintaining water purity plays a significant role environmentally and economically by ensuring efficient water use and protecting water ecosystems.
