Groundwater vs. Surface Water: A Treatment Comparison

Water treatment has a long history, dating back to ancient civilizations. Ancient Romans used silver-lined vessels to store water, while Egyptians added plum wine or vinegar to make Nile River water potable. Today, water treatment methods have become more advanced and informed by a deeper understanding of water contaminants. A water treatment plant must tailor its solution to the specific contaminant profile of the water source. Generally, surface water has higher levels of total organic content (TOC) than groundwater, while groundwater has higher levels of naturally occurring minerals. These and other factors play a large role in the types of treatment systems that will work for each source. This article will review these key differences and how they impact potential treatment solutions.