Water Purification Stages
Run dirty water through screening, coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection.
Debris left100%
Cloudiness (turbidity)200 NTU
Bacteria per 100 mL1,000,000
Safe to drink?Untreated
What you can learn
- Each stage removes a different kind of contaminant.
- Coagulants make tiny particles clump so they settle out.
- Disinfection with chlorine or UV kills the bacteria that filters miss.
Frequently asked questions
Why is coagulation needed before filtering?
Very tiny particles pass through filters. Coagulants make them stick together into larger clumps that settle or get caught.
Why add chlorine at the end?
To kill remaining bacteria and viruses and keep the water safe as it travels through pipes.