Improve Your Community and Environment By Disinfecting Groundwater

Written by AOS Treatment Solutions on October 3, 2017

The Groundwater Foundation states that more than 50 percent of the U.S. population relies on groundwater to meet their drinking water needs. Everything from landfills and hazardous wastes to road salts and atmospheric contaminants can pollute the groundwater. It’s crucial that groundwater used as part of a public municipal system is disinfected according to federal and state standards. There are several effective ways for disinfecting groundwater.

Why It’s Essential to Disinfect Groundwater

Disinfection is normally the final step when preparing groundwater for public consumption. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) disinfecting water is necessary to eliminate any remaining contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. Disinfection is also required to keep the water safe from a variety of germs while it’s being sent through pipes to businesses and homes. Groundwater that isn’t treated effectively can cause the spread of diseases such as hepatitis, dysentery and sickness caused by E. coli.

Chlorination

There are several methods you can choose from when disinfecting groundwater. Chlorination is one of the primary methods used to destroy bacteria and toxins so that groundwater is safe for public use. The majority of systems that disinfect their water supply use some type of chlorine. Chlorine kills most of the serious bacteria in the water and is relatively inexpensive to use. There are three types of chlorination that are typically used in the treatment of groundwater in municipal facilities.

Chlorine (gas) – The National Drinking Water Clearinghouse Fact Sheet lists chlorine gas as a yellow-green gas that is extremely effective at removing contaminants. It is, however, extremely dangerous in gas form and can be lethal in small amounts.
Chlorine (liquid) – This is also called sodium hypochlorite and is known as liquid bleach. One of the benefits of using bleach is that microorganisms normally are unable to build up a resistance to it. Chlorine in liquid form is easier to use than gas but can be very corrosive and must be stored carefully.
Chlorine (solid) – Chlorine in a solid form is also called calcium hypochlorite. This type of chlorine can dissolve with ease in water. Just as with the liquid form, the solid can be corrosive and must carefully be stored. It also has a strong odor. A disadvantage with chlorine in solid form is that reactions can occur with organic material that could possibly cause an explosion or fire.

Liquid Ammonium Sulfate (LAS)

This is a stable liquid that can be used to treat municipal drinking supplies. LAS works by providing ammonia along with chlorine that produces what are called chloramines. LAS is odorless and non-toxic. Another benefit of this type of disinfectant is that it has a long storage life.

Disinfection Byproducts

Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) have increasingly become a concern in recent years. Keeping byproducts from harming the environment is a crucial aspect of the disinfection process. It’s imperative that a water supply system keep disinfection byproducts to a minimum and properly dispose of those that are created. It is sometimes recommended to reduce the amount of organic material in the water before beginning the chlorination process. This will minimize the number of by-products formed.

Municipal Groundwater Treatment

Whether you’re operating a large or small municipal water supply it’s important to find groundwater treatment solutions that address your specific needs. It’s necessary to choose a water treatment company that has both the expertise and experience to adequately treat your facility’s water according to legal standards. AOS has been providing a single source of water treatment for customers since 1999.

AOS Treatment Solutions can provide an independent water analysis to determine the best treatment methods to purify and maintain high standards in your water supply. When looking for high quality groundwater treatment for your municipal water system contact AOS Treatment Solutions. They can safely and effectively provide all your water treatment needs.