Australian Water is Healthy – Part 2

In the first part of our Australian Water Series we showed you that the Australian government is in fact doing more to secure the already good quality of our tap water. Policies, guidelines and water safety documents aside, there are several processes being followed, ensuring that tap water in your house is among the best in the world.

Water treatment chemicals & treatment stages

Chemicals are added to the water supply in order to kill off any waterborne diseases and to keep our water safe and clean. The official Australian Drinking Water Guidelines recommend that our tap water furthermore undergoes four key treatment stages.

Stage 1: Adding coagulants

During the first stage of water treatment, a chemical known as a coagulant is added to the water. This chemical causes the particles in the water to ‘clump’ together and settle faster, making them easier to remove.

Stage 2: Sedimentation

After adding coagulants, water is filtered to catch and remove the particles. This sedimentation stage physically removes particles and solids which may be present in the water. Typically, these solid particles are removed and used elsewhere, as sludge or other water treatment by-products.

Stage 3: Water Filtration

Once the bigger particles are removed in the sedimentation phase, smaller particles are likely to stay behind. For this reason, the water is usually passed through a fine medium, such as sand. The sand then catches the smaller particles, while the water filters through. But we all know that Australia is at the forefront of technology and is doing quite a bit to improve its already safe drinking water – and that is why Australia uses a high-tech microfiltration system during its water filtration processes. Water is allowed to drain through a medium of fine pores, while the particles are caught and removed.

Step 4: Disinfection

You may notice that the first three treatment stages are basically concerned with the filtration of solid particles – what about the bacteria that stays behind? Bacteria are typically too small for the physical filtration processes. It is here where the all-important disinfection stage will give the final stamp of quality for your drinking water. In Australia, chlorine is the key water disinfection agent. Chlorine is regularly used, and is an effective agent against any potential waterborne contaminants.
So, although Australia’s tap water does not contain diseases (it is among the world’s best water quality), the authorities are still implementing extensive processes to deliver good quality water.

Domestic Water Filters

The water has been filtered, treated and disinfected killing off most of the bacteria and waterborne diseases in your water so why would you need a water filter in your home?

Studies have shown that the chemicals used to clean and filter your water can be terrible for your health. The effects of chlorine in particular have been well researched and covered in our blog. These chemicals are mostly removed from the water, but are still present in the water in your home. Even though the treatment plant filters your water, it can travel through hundreds of kilometres of pipes before reaching your home. These pipes themselves can contain dirt, rust or even micro-bacteria.

A water filter acts as a final line of defence, ensuring that the water in your home is as clean and healthy as it can be.