Water Sustainability Blog
News on the world's most precious resource, including the latest in research, trends, and treatment advances
The Role of Surface Aeration in Wastewater Treatment
The process of aeration is used to mix, circulate, or dissolve air into a liquid or another substance. Mechanical aeration can reduce the amount of chemicals needed to treat a body of water by providing the oxygen that bacteria need to function properly. There are two...
A Very Brief History of Lead in Water Supplies
Lead has been present in water since the invention of plumbing. If this claim seems like hyperbole, consider that the symbol for lead is Pb -- from the Latin word "plumbum." Lead, a naturally occurring metal, has been used throughout history, and was long a material...
How Is Lead Removed From the Water Supply?
There are a lot of questions being asked nowadays about lead contamination in water, including how lead is removed from water. In most cases, lead is not present in the water source. When lead is present, water treatment may remove it and other contaminants, but...
What Is Pure Oxygen Aeration?
Aeration is a well-known process most of us understand and have experienced -- who hasn't blown bubbles through a straw into a liquid or seen water jet from a decorative fountain? But what is pure oxygen aeration? Aeration is used to either mix, circulate, or dissolve...
What Is Activated Carbon?
You may have heard of activated carbon, but what is it and how is it used in water and wastewater treatment? Put simply, activated carbon is charcoal that has been treated to increase its adsorptive properties. Centuries ago, the ancient Hindus and Egyptians used...
What Is Tartaric Stabilization?
Tartaric stabilization is a process used in beverage manufacturing. What does it do? And how does it do it? Winemakers use the process to help prevent the formation of tartrate crystals or "wine diamonds" in wine bottles. Although the crystals are tasteless, many...