Water treatment for indirect contact involves purifying water for uses where it doesn’t directly enter the human body but has contact or is utilized in processes where exposure could occur.
Here are some common techniques used in treating water for indirect contact:
- Disinfection: This involves methods like chlorination (using chlorine or chlorinated compounds), ozonation (applying ozone), or ultraviolet radiation to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
- Filtration: Systems like activated carbon filters or membrane filtration remove particles, sediments, chemicals, and some organic contaminants from water.
- Ozone Treatment: Ozone is used to disinfect and oxidize contaminants in water. It’s a powerful agent for pathogen removal and reducing unwanted odor and taste.
- Reverse Osmosis: This process uses semipermeable membranes to eliminate contaminants like salts, minerals, and other impurities, producing high-quality water.
- Adsorption: Activated carbon and other adsorption media are used to remove organic and chemical compounds from water.
- pH Control: Adjusting the pH of water is crucial for certain applications. Different chemicals are used to achieve the right balance.
These methods might vary in application depending on the specific use of treated water. For instance, in the food industry, multiple treatment steps might be applied to ensure water used for cleaning equipment or in manufacturing processes is safe and meets quality standards.
It’s important to note that water treatment for indirect contact must comply with regulations and quality standards set by local or international authorities to ensure safety and protect public health.