Which two processes are commonly used in water treatment?

Filtration and disinfection are fundamental processes commonly employed in water treatment to ensure that water is safe for consumption and meets health standards.

Filtration removes particles, sediments, and some pathogens from water. It often utilizes various media such as sand, gravel, or membranes to physically filter contaminants. This step is crucial for improving the clarity and quality of the water by eliminating larger solid impurities and some microorganisms.

Disinfection is the subsequent crucial step that targets remaining pathogens that may not have been effectively removed by filtration. Methods like chlorination, UV treatment, or the use of ozone are employed to kill or deactivate harmful microorganisms, ensuring that the water is microbiologically safe for human use.

Together, these processes form a comprehensive approach to treating water, where filtration prepares the water and disinfection provides an added layer of protection against waterborne diseases. The other choices include processes like precipitation, reverse osmosis, aeration, and sedimentation, which, while useful in certain contexts, do not represent the standard primary pairing for common drinking water treatment processes.