Impurities of Water and their Significance

IMPURITIES OF WATER AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE

Impurities in water can also be classified as

1. Physical impurities

2. Chemical impurities

3. Bacteriological impurities

1. Physical impurities - Impart Taste, Odour, Colour, and Turbidity to water.

• Presence of organic matter or industrial wastes or microorganisms (algae) imparts taste and odour to water.

• Presence of suspended and colloidal matter imparts turbidity to water.

• Presence of Minerals (iron oxide) in water imparts colour

• These impurities have no direct effect on health but have indirect consequences

• Turbid waters protect microorganisms from chlorination (disinfection) and cause health effects.

2. Chemical Impurities