Water Clean Up Methods

Before starting the clean-up, it is essential to determine what water removal method is most effective. Several options include chemical oxidation, air stripping, and natural attenuation. Read on to learn about the different methods. Listed below are some of the most common methods. Listed in order of effectiveness are:

Natural attenuation

Natural attenuation can reduce the cost of remediation while reducing waste. However, it’s a slower cleanup time and produces transformation products that may be more toxic than the contaminants. It requires expensive site characterization and reliance on uncertain institutional controls. It cannot protect waterways from contaminants. Here, we explore the pros and cons of natural attenuation for water clean up.

In addition to being effective for wastewater treatment, natural attenuation has a long-term effect. The attenuation process is expected to last several years until the desired degradation rates are reached. The EPA policy on natural attenuation states that it is appropriate when it protects human health and can achieve remediation goals within a reasonable time frame. Therefore, the EPA is working with state and local regulators to develop guidelines for natural attenuation.

Chemical oxidation

Chemical oxidation is essential for removing organic and inorganic contaminants from water. Chemical oxidation creates heat, which causes chemicals to evaporate from water and travel upwards through soil. Once they reach the upper layer of soil, the chemicals are captured and safely treated. However, this process can be expensive and must be balanced with the overall cost of the process. Oxidizing agents may be combined with other chemical processes and catalysts to make the process more cost-effective.

The oxidation process converts pollutants such as hydrogen peroxide, permanganate, and ozone. These chemicals act as oxidants by converting the toxic chemicals in wastewater into less harmful substances. This method can be effective for water clean up but requires removing contaminated water first.

Air stripping

The process of air stripping for water clean up is a standard method for wastewater treatment. As the name suggests, it removes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from liquid streams. Air strippers can remove more than 99% of VOX from water and wastewater. Because this process is based on the principle of Henry’s Law, air stripping is most effective at warm temperatures. Therefore, air stripping costs are based on the purification yield.

Traditional air strippers vary in height. The unit’s size is correlated with the chemical content of the water. Low-profile air strippers are now widely used in water treatment facilities. Low-profile air strippers have almost horizontal trays, which increase contact with the water and minimize vertical space. The DTA air stripper is part of a 200 GPM water treatment system. The system is capable of treating toluene and benzene at 98% efficiency. Other features of this air stripper include carbon filters and controls. Low maintenance costs are another reason why air strippers are preferred.

Remediation

The first step in cleaning water is removing standing water from the property. The water should be removed as quickly as possible. This requires more than a wet-dry vacuum. Professionals use industrial extractors and specialty systems for drying wood floors and sub-floors. They also use high-quality blowers and air movers to exhaust the excess moisture. Desiccant dehumidification and freeze-drying are also employed to remove any remaining water. These methods reduce the chances of mold and other potentially harmful materials from growing.

If the water is not removed and disposed of, it can become a health hazard. Water damage can also result from leaky pipes or natural disasters. So whether you own a home or a commercial property, you’ll experience water damage. But it doesn’t have to be permanent—a water damage remediation company can clean it up. Unlike conventional cleaning, water remediation uses special cleaning and drying techniques to restore water-damaged materials.