WATER DISINFECTANTS & MUSEUM VISIT

1) SANITARY WELL

• Definition-
A sanitary well is one which is properly located, well-constructed and
protected against contamination, to yield a supply of safe water.
• Location-
- 15 m(50 feet) away from source of contamination
- At higher elevation
- Within 100 m (1oo yards) from user.
• Lining -
Built of bricks or stones set in cement up to a depth of at least 6
m(20 feet), 60 - 90 cm(2 to 3 feet) above ground level.
• Parapet –
Wall up to a height of 70-75 cm (28 inches) above the ground.
• Platform –
A cement concrete platform round the well extending at least 1m (3
feet) in all directions, slope outwards towards a drain built along its
edges.
• Drain –
Should be PUKKA drain to carry off spilled water to a public drain or a
soakage pit constructed well beyond the CONE OF FILTRATION
(area of drainage) of the well.
• Covering –
The top of the well should be closed by a cement cover because
the bulk of the pollution enters directly through the open top.
 Hand-pump –
For lifting the water in a sanitary manner.
• Consumer Responsibility
Strict cleanliness in the vicinity of the well l; prohibit personal
ablutions, washing of clothes and animals, and dumping of refuse
and waste.
• Quality-
Should be of acceptable standards of quality of safe and wholesome
water.

Chlorination of the well -

 Once every week usually
 Daily during epidemic of cholera gastro-enteritis etc.
 Done with bleaching powder, after estimating chlorine demand
 Water must not be drawn immediately after addition of
bleaching powder. Contact period of at least 1 hour is needed.
  Best time for chlorination is evening or at night.
Steps in Disinfection of Well:
1. Find the volume of water in the well
a) Measure the depth of water column ……. (h) Meter
b) Measure diameter of well ………………… (d) Meter
c) Take average of several readings
d) Substitute h and d in
VOLUME (liters) = 3.14 x d2 x h
------------ ----- X 1000
4
e) One cubic meter = 1000 liters of water.

2. Find the amount of bleaching powder required for

disinfection by Horrock‟s apparatus.
Roughly 2.5 gms of bleaching powder is required to disinfect
1000 liters of water.This will give an approximate dose of 0.7 mg of
applied chlorine per liter of water.

3. Dissolve bleaching powder in water.

Not more than 100 gms of bleaching powder to be added to one
bucket of water. Wait for 15-20 mins for settling time. Take
supernatant solution in another bucket.

4) Delivery of chlorine solution into the well

The bucket containing the chlorine solution is lowered down below
the water surface and is agitated by moving bucket violently both
vertically and laterally so that the chlorine mixes well with the water.

5) Contact period
One hour contact period before the water is drawn for use.

6) Orthotoulidine arsenite test

Is done at the end of one hour contact the ‘free’ residual chlorine
is less than 0.5 mg/l then repeat the procedure.
 Sanitary Open well

2) RAPID SAND FILTER

Types: 1. Gravity type (e.g. Paterson’s filter)
2. Pressure type (e.g. Candy’s filter)
Stages:

1. Chemical coagulation - addition of alum to the raw water

2. Rapid mixing - violent agitation of the treated water in a mixing

chamber for few minutes
 3. Flocculation – slow & gentle stirring of the treated water in a
‘flocculation chamber’ for 30 minutes, resulting in the formation
of a thick, white flocculent precipitate of aluminum hydroxide,
which settles down.

4. Sedimentation – the coagulated water is led into a

sedimentation tank where it is detained for 2-6 hrs

5. Filtration - by the rapid sand filter bed which has a layer of

sand, graded gravel and under-drainage system. The sand bed
holds back the alum floccules, suspended impurities and
bacteria.
 Effective size of sand particles is 0.4 to 0.7mm.
 Rate of filtration: 5 to 15 m3 /m2/hr.
 Filtration is 40 -50 times faster than slow sand filter
 Occupies less space than slow sand filter
 Removal of turbidity and odour is good
 Removal of bacteria is 98-99%

6. Cleaning of the filter is done by backwashing daily or weekly.

7. Disinfection – by chlorination of the filtered water.

Flow Diagram of Rapid Sand Filtration Plant:

Aeration Mixing
(ByAeration Chamber
River Fountain) (Rapid Mixing)

Alum
Flocculation
Sedimentation Chamber
Tank (2 to 6 (Flocculation –
hours) 2 to 4 rpm)
Filters

Chlorine

Clear Water
Storage Consumption
 3) SLOW SAND FILTER/BIOLOGICAL FILTER

 Does purification of water on large scale

 Preliminary treatment of water is by Plain Sedimentation

 Various elements of the filter - Supernatant (raw) water

Graded sand bed
Under-drainage system
Filter control valves
 Effective size of sand particles is 0.2 to 0.3 mm
 Rate of filtration is filtration is slow, 0.1 to 0.4 m3/m2/hr
Vital / “Schmutzdecke” / Zoogleal Layer / Biological layer is the
heart of the filter. It is slimy and gelatinous and consists of thread-like
algae, plankton, diatoms & bacteria. It removes organic matter, holds
back bacteria and oxidizes ammonia Cal nitrogen into nitrates.
Cleaning of the filter is done by scraping off the top portion of sand
layer to a depth of 1 to 2 cm.
 Simple to construct and operate and cheaper
Filtered water has high physical, chemical & bacteriological quality.
 Remove turbidity and colors
 Complete removal of bacteria & E Coli 99.9 to 99.99%

4) BLEACHING POWDER
• Identification: Bleaching Powder (CaOCl2)
• Nature: White amorphous powder with pungent smell of
chlorine
Chlorinated lime is called bleaching powder.
Fresh bleaching powder contains 33 % available chlorine rapidly
loses its chlorine content on exposure to air, light
& moisture. Hence stored in a dark, cool and dry place in closed,
non-corrosive container.
• Action: Germicidal effect is mainly by hypochlorous acid and
to a lesser extent, by hypochlorite ion.
Uses: Used for disinfection of wells
Used as a toilet deodorant
 5) HALOGEN TABLETS

• Identification: Halogen Tablets (Chlorine tablets) Bleaching

Powder (CaOCl2)
• Nature: White tablets containing chlorine
• Action: Germicidal effect is mainly by hypochlorous acid and
to a lesser extent, by hypochlorite ion.
• Uses: Disinfection of water during travel, camps and
emergency.
• Dose: Single tablet of 0.5 gm to disinfect 20 liters of water

6) CHLORINE LIQUID
• Identification: Chlorine Solution
• Preparation: 4 kg bleaching powder + 20 lt water = 5% solution
of chlorine.
• Action: Germicidal effect is mainly by hypochlorous acid and
to a lesser extent, by hypochlorite ion.
• Uses: Disinfection of water during travel, camps and
emergency.
• Dose: 2 to 3 drops / lt of water.

7) ALUM

• Identification: Alum
• Nature: Alum is aluminum sulphate, stony in consistency, white
in colour.
• Action: Acts as a chemical coagulant. Helps in sedimentation
(settles down the impurities and bacteria in water).
• Uses: To remove turbidity of water before subjecting to rapid
sand filtration. Also in defluoridation of water (Nalgonda Technique)
• Dose: 5 to 40 mg/ liter, depending on the temperature, pH
and turbidity of water...
 8) POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE

• Identification: Potassium Permanganate

• Nature: Violet coloured crystals with no smell.
• Action: Disinfectant and oxidizing agent By oxidizing organic
matter it destroys bacteria. May kill cholera vibrios but of little use
against other organisms. Action is not continuous, and is unreliable.
Alters colour, smell and taste of water. So not satisfactory for
disinfecting water.
• Uses: Weak solution (1 in 1000 strength) is used to disinfect
vegetables and fruits

9) COPPER SULPHATE

• Identification: Copper Sulphate

• Nature: Blue coloured crystals.
• Action: Destroys algae.
• Uses: 1 ppm concentration is used to destroy algae in
stagnant water.
10) TINCTURE IODINE

• Identification: Tincture iodine

• Nature: Liquid disinfectant & skin antiseptic
• Action: Contact period of 20 to 30 minutes needed for
effective disinfection. Kills cholera and enteric organisms effectively.
• Disadvantage: High cost and the element is physiologically
active. Taints the skin and may produce allergic reaction. :
• Uses: -Emergency disinfection of water (2 drops of 2%
ethanol solution of iodine for 1 liter of clear water) Contact period of
20 to 30 minutes needed for effective disinfection.
- Disinfection of skin.
- Disinfection of plastic appliances (1 in 2500 aqueous
solution)
-Disinfection of water in camps (1 in 20,000 aqueous
solution)
 11) SODIUM THIOSULPHATE

• Identification: Sodium Thiosulphate

• Action: Dechlorinating agent.
• Uses: To remove excess chlorine from water.

12) DOMESTIC FILTER

• Identification: Domestic filter

• Description: Main part of the filter is the candle. It is porous
and made up of unglazed ceramic (porcelain.)
Filter acts mechanically by the pressure of water.
Filters candles remove dust particles & bacteria but not viruses.
If not maintained properly, the pores often get clogged with
impurities and form nidus for bacterial growth
Filter candles are frequently cleaned by scrubbing with a hard brush
under running water and boiling at least once a week.
Muddy water is strained and clarified before pouring into the filter.
• Uses: To get safe and wholesome water at domestic level.

13) CHLORINATION OF WATER

„Chlorination is a supplement, not a substitute, to sand filtration‟

Mechanism: H2O + Cl2 = HCl + HOCl (hypochlorous acid)
HOCl = H + OCl (hypochlorite ion)
Disinfection action is mainly due to hypochlorous acid.
Chlorine acts best when pH of water is 7 because of
predominance of HOCL
Germicidal effect is mainly by hypochlorous acid and to a lesser
extent, by hypochlorite ion.

Chlorinating agents: Chlorine gas, Chloramine, Perchloron.

Action of Chlorine:
1. Kills bacteria
2. Doesn’t affect spores and certain viruses (e.g., polio &
hepatitis) except in large doses
3. Destroys taste and odour producing constituents
4. Controls algae and slime
5. Oxidizes iron, magnesium, hydrogen sulphide.
6. Aids coagulation

Principles of Chlorination:
1. Water should be clear and free from turbidity.
2. Chlorine demand is determined with Horrock’s
apparatus.
3. Contact period of at least one hour
4. Minimum recommended concentration of free residual
Chlorine is 0.5 mg/lt for 1 hour. This free residual
Chlorine protect against subsequent microbial
contamination.
5. Correct dose of chlorine to be applied is the SUM of the
Chlorine demand plus the free residual chlorine of 0.5
mg/L

15) BREAK POINT CHLORINATION

Principle: Chlorine is added to water until the organic matter in it is

completely oxidized and there remains a small quantity of free
chlorine. The point at which chlorine demand of water is met and free
chlorine begins to appear is called break point chlorination.
If chlorine is added beyond break point it only causes an increase in
free chlorine

16) SUPER CHLORINATION

• Addition of large doses of chlorine to water

• Usually followed by de-chlorination i.e. removal of excess chlorine
after disinfection
• Applicable to heavily polluted waters whose quality fluctuates
greatly
• De-chlorination is done by Sodium bisulphate, Sodium
thiosulphate & Sulphur dioxide
 17) CHLOROSCOPE and (OT) ORTHOTOLIDINE TEST

 This instrument is used to determine the free and combined

chlorine in water.
 Reagent used is analytical grade Orthotolidine dissolved in 10
% solution of HCL
 The test is carried out by adding 0.1 ml reagent to 1 ml of
water.
 The water turns yellow and intensity of the colour varies with
concentration of the gas.
 The yellow colour is produced by both free and combined
chlorine.
 OT reacts with free chlorine instantaneously but more slowly
with combined chlorine.
 The yellow colour produced is matched against suitable
standards or colour discs.
 Reading should be taken within 10 seconds to estimate free
chlorine in water.
 The colour that is produced after 15-20 mts is due to the action
of both free and combined chlorine.

** (OT) ORTHOTOLIDINE-ARSENITE TEST

 It is a modification of OT Test
 It determines both free and combined chlorine residuals in
water separately.
 Also the errors caused by the presence of interfering substance
such as nitrites, iron and manganese all of which produce a
yellow color with o-toluidine are overcome by OTA test .
 18) SEPTIC TANK

This is a water-tight masonry tank into which household sewage is

admitted for treatment. It is a satisfactory means of disposing excreta
and liquid wastes from individual houses, small group of houses &
institutions .

Design: Single chambered / Doubled chambered. It can be used for

places which have adequate water supplies but do not have access
to a public sewerage system.

Capacity: 20-30 gallon or 2 ½ - 5 c.ft. per number of users

Length: Twice the breadth

Depth: Total depth 1.5 – 2 meters

Liquid depth 1.2 meters
-Minimum air space of 30 cms between the level of liquid in the tank
and the undersurface of the cover.
-Concrete slab cover.
- Submerged inlet and outlet pipes.
-Retention period of 24 hrs.

Stages: First – Anaerobic digestion which takes place in the septic

tank proper
Second – Aerobic oxidation which takes place outside the
septic tank, in the sub-soil.
 19) SOAKAGE PIT

Used for disposal of waste water i.e. sullage

Design:
 A trench 3 mt long, 1 mt deep and 1 mt wide is dug up.
This is sufficient for the sullage disposal from a single
Household. The trench is filled with large stones.
 A kerosene tin with a perforated bottom is placed just below the
house drain, on the stones, such that 20 cm are below and 15
cm above the ground .The tin is filled with straw or dried grass to
filter solid wastes
 The layer of stones is covered with old bamboo matting /old
sacks/ tin sheets/ tarred mats to prevent mud from getting in and
filling up the crevices.
 The matting is covered with mud upto ground level

20) GOBAR GAS PLANT / BIO-GAS PLANT

Requirement: Cow / animal dung, human faeces.Dung must be well

mixed with water (4:5) Thus solid concentration is 8.1%

End product is methane & solid manure

Uses: -Sanitary disposal of animal/human excreta

- Cooking gas made available, less indoor pollution,
- Saves on wood/forest
- Lighting of lamps
-Manure-fertilizer in field
 21) UV-FILTER
 UV irradiation is effective against most microorganisms known
to contaminate water such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeast etc.
 Mechanism: Involves the exposure of a film of water, up to
about 120 mm thick, to one or several quartz mercury vapor
lamps, emitting ultraviolet radiation at a wavelength of 254
Nano-meters. Water should be free m and suspended
impurities
 Advantages :
-Exposure is for a short period
-No foreign matter is introduced
-No taste & odour produced
-Overexposure does not result in harmful effects.
 Disadvantages :
-No residual effect
-Lack of a rapid field test to assess treatment efficacy
-Apparatus is expensive

22) REVERSE OSMOSIS (RO) FILTER

 Multistage reverse osmosis purification process is used to
make water both chemically and microbiologically potable ,by
reducing the total dissolved solids (TDS) hardness, heavy
metals(like arsenic , lead , mercury) and disease causing
bacteria, virus, protozoa & cysts.
 The clarity cartridge removes the suspended impurities such as
dust, mud & sand from the water.
 The reverse osmosis cartridge reduces the TDS, hardness, and
heavy metals and eliminates micro organisnms.
 23) WINCHESTER QUARTZ BOTTLE

 For collection of water sample

 Samples to be collected appropriately.

 Bottle must have a label on it

 Date , time, place of collection

 Source of water sample

 Geographical condition

 Weather condition at the place in past 24 hrs

 Reasons why collected i.e. routine or special

 H/o epidemic in area

 Details of what examination is required

 Bottles must be sealed and transported in ice box

 Must reach laboratory within 2-3 hrs of collection of sample