What General Types of Impurities Does Water Contain?
Impurities picked up by natural waters may be classed as : (a) dissolved solids, (b) dissolved gases, and (c) suspended matter. Water is a good solvet; it dissolves the rocks and soil it contacts. It dissolves gases from the air and gases given off from organics is the soil. It picks up suspended matter from the earth. It is also subject ot contamination with trade wastes, oils and process materials. In general, the type of impurities water contains depends on what it contacts; the amount of impurities depens on the contact times.
