"Water is the driver of nature."

Leonardo da Vinci

We live in a world where water filtration has become a necessity. Every water and wastewater industry are in need of a water filtration infrastructure. But why is it so important? How is it playing such a big role in industrial infrastructure? In fact, what exactly is the role of water filtration? What types are involved? Or how is it programmed in water and wastewater treatment facilities? 

If those are the questions that piqued your interest, then this blog is your chance to get every minute detail about filtration. Plus, we will also recommend the best products from Azud so that while gaining information you are informed about the world-class products on the market. So, let’s get straight into the overview first.

What is Water Filtration? History & Uses

Nowadays, we have modern applications or instruments that help with the treatment of water in the water and wastewater industry. But what about before these modern applications? How was the water filtered? The history of water filtration goes back to the earliest civilizations and has been recorded in the written form. 

In fact, ancient Sanskrit and Egyptian writings indicate that they practiced water filtration to purify water for drinking. According to the Sushruta Samhita, it involved steps like boiling and heating under the sun, while Egyptian tombs show the use of several water treatment devices like sand and coarse gravel for water treatment.

That was about its interesting history. Now, when it comes to usage, its end goal is to provide the purest and clarified water. The main filtration applications are used to treat storm water, wastewater and drinking water. However, it can also be seen in industrial manufacturing, food and beverage, power plants and more. 

The main feature of filtration is to remove any kind of impurities such as small particles, bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, parasites and more. It does all this with the help of pumps, valves, pipes, where the water passes through the filter, and forces like centrifugation or gravity are applied to create enough pressure to push the water through the filter.

In modern times, these industrial applications help to treat the water and wastewater system. Let’s further understand the benefits and types of water filtration.

Understanding the Different Types of Filtrations in the Water and Wastewater System?

The industry of water and wastewater systems relies on different types of filtrations. Since there are various kinds of impurities present in the water, using just one type of filtration wouldn’t be satisfactory. These industries ensure every impurity is removed through different types of filtrations. Hence, let’s check out what these types are and how do they help.

1. Sediment Filtration:

A sediment filter is usually used for stormwater, suspended solids, rusk flecks and others that pollute the water. The main purpose of this kind of filtration is to remove impurities and solid particles from water. Industries mainly use sand filters, multimedia and cartridge filters for these purposes. Also, it is most commonly used as a first step in industries.

2. Activated Carbon Filtration:

Popularly based on the principle of adsorption, which is a surface phenomenon where the particle gets attracted and attached to its components from either a liquid or a gas to its surface. The whole purpose is to adsorb organic compounds, heavy metals or chlorine. Industries use activated carbon’s large surface area to trap all the pollutants where it helps to improve the taste and odor of drinking water. 

3. Reverse Osmosis (RO):

It is a kind of water filtration procedure that makes sure to use a semi-permeable membrane. The main purpose is to remove any kind of impurities like bacteria, organic matter, dissolved salts and more. RO is called one of the most popular choices for treating wastewater for drinking and industrial processes as it requires minimal maintenance, is safer to use, and is a green alternative to chemically based industrial treatments. 

4. Ultrafiltration:

Again, it’s a water filtration that uses a semi-permeable membrane to separate the particulate matter, suspended solids and even large molecules from water. The mechanism works in such a way that it uses membranes with pore size smaller than those in microfiltration. It is suitable to use in both drinking water and wastewater treatment. 

5. Microfiltration:

After UF, MF (microfiltration) is something that is most widely used in industries for water treatment. Here it also uses a membrane to remove larger particles and microorganisms including fat globules, bacteria, colloids and more. It uses slightly larger pore size membranes compared to ultrafiltration. It is usually a pre-treatment step before other filtration methods. 

6. Nano Filtration:

Just like ultra and micro filtration, we also have nano filtration for water treatments. Now, NF is a membrane water purification type which makes use of semi-permeable membrane to remove dissolved solutes from water or in other words small organic molecules and divalent ions. Unlike UF and MF, it uses membranes with very small pores, and it is used for water softening and removal of particular pollutants, contaminating the water.

7. Biological Filtration:

Just like the name, it is a treatment process that uses living organisms to break down organic matter and take hold of unwanted pollutants. It involves the usage of biofilms and other kinds of biological media for its mechanism. It is a very commonly treated filtration technique in wastewater to reduce biological and chemical oxygen demand. 

8. Chemical Filtration:

The most widely used method, chemical filtration, uses chemical reactants to break down contaminants from the water. It involves chemicals to precipitate and neutralize pollutants from the water. It is used to treat particular pollutants such as heavy metals and phosphate. 

9. Mechanical Filtration:

The most common method is mechanical filtration where it physically removes suspended solids from water like sand, silt, clay or organic matter. It makes sure to use screens, sieves or other kinds of mechanical filtration to remove particles. It is also the very first step in wastewater treatment for large debris.

What Are the Benefits of Water Filtration?

Of course! Water filtration has its own share of advantages in the world. If we take an example of industries, then it maintains the quality and safety of water to be used for further processes in water and wastewater treatment. Plus, all these methods help in removing contaminants which further leads to environmental damage, skin issues, water pollution and more.

• Promote healthy manufacturing procedures 
• Protects equipment from damage
• Provides safe drinking water
• Help protect our environment
• Removes contaminants 
• Protect appliances 
• Protects health 
• Improves taste and odor 

Advice Corner

If you are looking for water and wastewater treatment equipment, then Azud’s wide range of products is something to take notice of. Featuring Azud’s Watertech RW DUV (Helix Automation disc filters + ultrafiltration and advanced oxidation) and Watertech RW DV (Helix Automation disc filters + UV disinfection) for you. It is great for irrigating food that is consumed raw and has edible parts in contact with reclaimed water. 

Additionally, if you want something for crops with edible parts above ground level, and that too with zero direct contact with reclaimed water, and crops intended for energy production or industry, then you can choose Watertech RW D Azud, which comes with Helix Automatic disc filters + chemical disinfection. 

Final Note:

By now, we are sure that our blog has made things clear about the importance of water filtration in water and wastewater systems. In fact, by now you might have also realized how choosing the right filtration solutions can make a huge difference. From improving water quality to ensuring you get the purest water; Azud’s water filtration is a game-changer in the water industry.

Whether you are reading this blog to gain information or you’re a seasoned person looking for the best product to buy, make sure to check out our products on our website. We hope we have answered all your questions regarding water and wastewater systems. For more such topics, let us know in the comments below. Until then, happy Tuesday and keep smiling.