What process is crucial for surface water to be considered potable?

For surface water to be classified as potable, it must undergo a comprehensive treatment process. This is critical because surface water can contain a variety of contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, sediments, and chemical pollutants.

Treatment involves multiple phases that may include coagulation and flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection. The goal of this extensive process is to remove harmful pathogens and pollutants to meet safety standards established by health authorities, ensuring the water is safe for human consumption.

While filtration and chlorination are important components of the treatment process, they are part of a broader system designed to make water potable. Filtration helps remove particulate matter and some microorganisms, while chlorination is primarily aimed at disinfection, killing or inactivating pathogens. However, without the overall treatment process that incorporates these and other steps, surface water could still pose health risks, making comprehensive treatment essential for ensuring potability.