5.10.1.2 potable water

Question 1

Water of appropriate quality is essential for life, for humans, drinking water should have required properties such as..

Answer 1

Low levels of dissolved salts and microbes

Question 2

What is the name given to water by which is safe to drink

Answer 2

Potable water

Question 3

Is potable water pure or not?

Answer 3

No, it contains dissolved substances

Question 4

The methods used to produce potable water depend on..

Answer 4

Available supplies of water and local conditions

Question 5

In the UK, rain provides water which is collected in the ground, lakes and rivers, most potable water is produced by:

Answer 5

-Choosing an appropriate source of fresh water
-passing the water through filter beds
-sterilising.

Question 6

Name 3 sterilising agents used for potable water

Answer 6

Chlorine, ozone and ultraviolet light .

Question 7

If supplies of fresh water are limited, what other methods are carried out for water production?

Answer 7

Desalination, done by distillation, or, by processes that use membranes such as reverse osmosis

Question 8

What are the energy requirements like for water desalination/reverse osmosis.

Answer 8

High/large amounts

Question 9

What is the difference between potable water and pure water

Answer 9

Potable water contains low levels of dissolved salt as well as impurities (fresh water) that we as humans drink. whereas pure water contains no other element apart from H2O

Question 10

What are the differences between the treatment of ground water and treatment of salty water

Answer 10

Ground water can be stored and drank straight away whereas salt water has to be treated beforehand because of its salt content (processes like desalination and reverse osmosis)

Question 11

What are the steps used to produce potable water

Answer 11

Steps like, disinfection, filtration, desalination, reverse osmosis etc,
passing the water through filter beds to remove insoluble particles. sterilising the water to kill bacteria