Potable water treatment

Without it we are dead! Water is essential, but what processes must it go through to become fit for human consumption? This free course, Potable water treatment, will guide you through the continuous cycling of water between land, open water surfaces and the sea before moving on to an overview of the water treatment and supply process.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

Describe the operation and mechanisms of the hydrological cycle

List and describe the major physical, chemical and biological characteristics of clean fresh water, and explain their effects on aquatic organisms

Explain the mode by which potable water is produced through the processes of screening, microstraining, aeration, coagulation and flocculation, sedimentation, flotation, filtration and disinfection

Explain how the issues of nitrates, trace organics, fluoridation and plumbo-solvency can be dealt with in potable water supply

Describe the main desalination processes used to produce potable water from saline or brackish sources.