Water is the fundamental source of life, covering about 70% of Earth’s surface, yet most of it is saltwater and unfit for drinking, With increasing populations and growing demand for clean water, there is an urgent need for effective desalination and purification technologies, Silica Sand plays a pivotal role in removing impurities and improving water quality, making access to potable water safer and more efficient.

Zohdy Minerals Egypt has stepped in with its expertise in natural materials to provide the best water purification solutions.

 Water Purification Using Silica Sand

Water purification and desalination involve treating saltwater, rainwater, well water, and groundwater.

Recently, with modern technology, wastewater treatment has also been included.
Purification processes generally consist of three operations:

• Collection Works: The location established to obtain water from the source in the required quantity to meet needs. For surface water, this involves installing pipes to convey water from the main source.

• Storage and Distribution Works: Water is distributed through networks according to the required quantities while ensuring its protection from contamination.

• Purification Works (Treatment): The purification process differs based on the type of water being treated and its intended use.
  Three types of water are typically dealt with through different purification methods:

  1. Rainwater: The simplest type of water requiring purification. Rainwater needs a simple filtration process, followed by the application of an appropriate amount of chlorine, before storage in underground tanks.

  2. Groundwater: May not fundamentally require purification as it is generally clean, but it might contain some dissolved salts, necessitating a sterilization process before being routed to storage tanks and the public network.

  3. Surface Water: The most complex to purify due to its content of bacteria, suspended and dissolved solids, silt, and organic matter. It requires many stages to be purified and rendered usable.

Stages of Drinking Water Purification

The purification of surface water involves several stages:

• Screening Stage (Grit Removal): Used especially if the water is sourced from lakes or rivers. This stage involves sieving or screening the water.
  It occurs when water is transferred from its source to the water purification plant, aiming to remove large-sized pollutants such as wood, dead animals, and trash.

• Coagulation/Flocculation Stage: Used to purify surface water and settle polluting matter to the bottom of the water tank.
  This is achieved using chemicals such as alum (Aluminium Sulfate), which greatly assists in removing water pollutants by forming a sticky substance (floc) that binds pollutants, increases their density, and prevents them from floating, causing them to sink to the bottom.

• Filtration Stage using Sand and Activated Carbon: The filtration stage is one of the most important steps in water purification.
  In this stage, water is purified from small dissolved pollutants in the clear water, which include disease-causing microorganisms like bacteria, parasites, and viruses, in addition to dust and other fine pollutants.

  • The filtration process relies on essential materials such as activated carbon, silica sand, and gravel, which differ in size, density, and composition.

• Sterilization Stage (Disinfection): Represents the final stage of water purification, fundamentally relying on the use of chemical agents like chlorine to kill any remaining bacteria and viruses suspended in the water.
  Due to widespread concerns regarding the use of chlorine, other methods have been adopted, such as using ultraviolet (UV) radiation, ozone, or even hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

The Importance of Silica Sand in Drinking Water Purification

Silica Sand is one of the most crucial natural materials used in drinking water purification. It boasts unique physical and chemical properties that help remove impurities and suspended solids in the water.

How Silica Sand Works in Filtration

The filtration process using silica sand occurs through filtration columns, where water seeps from the top, passing through the different sand layers.

These layers work to trap both large and small particles while allowing the purified water to pass through to the bottom.

Silica sand is often used in conjunction with activated carbon and gravel to enhance the purification process.

The activated carbon helps absorb odors and harmful chemicals, while the sand is responsible for trapping suspended particles.

Advantages of Using Silica Sand

• High Effectiveness in Impurity Removal: Silica sand contributes to the removal of most suspended solids and fine pollutants that might threaten human health.

• Improved Water Taste and Odor: Filtration helps eliminate strange odors and undesirable tastes resulting from organic materials.

• Integration with Other Water Purification Stages: Silica sand is an essential part of the filtration stages before the sterilization stage, which increases the efficiency of chemical agents like chlorine or UV radiation.

• Sustainability and Efficiency: The sand layers can be cleaned and reused after a certain period, making it an economical and environmentally friendly option for water purification plants.

Silica sand represents the cornerstone of the drinking water purification process, ensuring the removal of impurities, suspended solids, and harmful microorganisms,
and complementing other treatment stages to guarantee water that is safe and clean for human, agricultural, and industrial use.

With the increasing need for effective and sustainable solutions to improve water quality, the expertise of Zohdy Minerals Egypt comes into play,
providing the best natural materials and modern filtration technologies to ensure communities have access to healthy, potable water efficiently and safely. Contact Us.