Final answer:
A conventional surface water treatment plant involves pretreatment, primary treatment, secondary treatment, tertiary treatment, disinfection, and either discharge or reuse of the treated water.
Step-by-step explanation:
A conventional surface water treatment plant goes through several processes to ensure the water is safe for consumption. The various steps involved in the treatment of surface water include:
- Pretreatment: This process involves screening and removal of sand and gravel to remove any large particles or debris.
- Primary Treatment: The water undergoes settling or floatation to remove organic solids, fat, and grease.
- Secondary Treatment: Aerobic bacterial decomposition of organic solids occurs in this step.
- Tertiary Treatment: Bacterial decomposition of nutrients and filtration take place to further purify the water.
- Disinfection: The water is treated with chlorine, ozone, ultraviolet light, or bleach to kill most microbes.
- Discharge or Reuse: Finally, the treated water is either discharged into surface waters, such as rivers, or reused for purposes like irrigation and groundwater recharge.