WORLD WATER DAY 2017
WATER TREATMENT IN NIGERIA: A CAUSE FOR CONCERN
The most common source of water for domestic uses especially in the urban areas is the well water connected to pipelines popularly called bore holes. The water process involves the use of pumping machine been inserted into the well, which is connected to a storage system, from where it is connected to the different pipelines connecting the house. The process of treating this water involves pouring alum and chlorine into the well and left for few hours/days for these chemicals to react with the water. After this process, it is believed that the water is then safe for drinking. The alum is to allow the coagulation and sedimentation of solid particles in the water, while the chlorine is to disinfect the water.
Chlorine, a very effective antimicrobial agent, is a first choice disinfectant in water treatment. It is not to be introduced into unclean water because of its ability to form chlorinated hydrocarbons with organic compounds, which are suspected carcinogens. Before chlorine should be added to water, the water should have undergo a certain level of purification to remove all organic and inorganic matters in the water such as coagulation, filtration and water softening, as the chlorine is to kill any microorganisms present in the water sample. There is need to remove the coagulated sediments from the water before the addition of chlorine. The chlorine does not remove the effects of macro particles in the water such as water colouring.
The negative effects of adding chlorine to water containing organic matter (cancer) which is a long term effect outweighs its benefit (prevention of infection) which is a short term benefit. When the risk outweighs the benefit, then it is not worth it. Chlorination should be the last stage of water processing.
#NO TO CARCINOGENIC WATER
#YES TO PORTABLE WATER
#YES TO LIFE
#WATER IS LIFE
#MARCH 22

Nice. Water is life