Raakavesikäsittely

Raakavesikäsittely refers to the initial stages of water treatment that prepare raw water, such as from lakes, rivers, or groundwater, for further purification and eventual use as drinking water or for industrial purposes. The primary goal of raakavesikäsittely is to remove suspended solids, debris, and other large contaminants that could interfere with subsequent treatment processes or negatively impact water quality.

Common steps in raakavesikäsittely include screening and sedimentation. Screening involves passing the raw water through screens or grates of varying mesh sizes to physically remove larger objects like leaves, twigs, plastic, and other floating debris. This prevents clogging of pipes and equipment further down the treatment line. Following screening, sedimentation, also known as settling or clarification, allows heavier suspended particles to settle to the bottom of a basin or tank by gravity. This process reduces turbidity and the overall concentration of solids in the water.

Depending on the source water quality, additional preliminary treatments might be employed within the raakavesikäsittely phase. These can include pre-chlorination to begin disinfection and control biological growth, or pre-oxidation to remove dissolved iron and manganese. The specific methods and sequence of raakavesikäsittely are determined by the characteristics of the raw water source and the intended final use of the treated water. Effective raakavesikäsittely is crucial for the efficiency and success of the entire water treatment process.