Water

What is Water? Why is it Important? How do we Maintain it? What Examples do we Have?This book is intended for those who have an interest, or seek some guidance, in maintaining water as a resource. It is geared to individuals with a high school science education or general technical curiosity, though it might be of interest to either volunteer/appointees or elected officials who have general oversight of their local town/village municipal water/wastewater systems in order to gain a better understanding of what is involved in water treatment. It begins by presenting a concise history of water, including the philosophical questions its use implies. The book is then divided into four parts. The first chapter asks why we worry about water and attempts to provide a rational means by which to treat it. Guidance is given as to best practice for water treatment by responding to approximately thirty questions. The second section asks what is water and all it encompasses. As the environment degrades, it looks at why these issues are important now.The third chapter discusses the five key elements related to cleaning water. These include the process and people involved, which are the most important, as well as the size, structure and surface of any impurities. The fourth section, divided into two chapters, is the heart of the text. It examines over five hundred cases in water treatment from various sectors from drinking water to food, mining and sludge. The aim is to permit the identification of the key issues in a timely way and, thereby, provide scientific and technical bases for recommended treatments. The book concludes with some rules of thumb and also alludes to how the interface of analytical methods and information technology may change how water is monitored and managed