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Reverse osmosis is the finest water filtration method known. This process will allow the removal of particles as small as ions from a solution. It is used to purify water and remove salts and other impurities in order to improve the color, taste or properties of the fluid. R.O. uses a membrane that is semi-permeable, allowing the fluid that is being purified to pass through it, while rejecting other ions and contaminants from passing. This technology uses a process known as crossflow to allow the r.o. membrane to continually clean itself. This is the reason of why an r.o. element can last many years before clogging or need replacement. This water purification process requires a driving force to push the fluid through the membrane, and the most common force is household water pressure or pressure from a booster pump. The higher the pressure, the larger the driving force and efficiency.

Many communities obtain their drinking water from underground sources called aquifers. Water suppliers or utility officials often drill wells through soil and rock into aquifers for the ground water contained therein to supply the public with drinking water. Home owners who cannot obtain their drinking water from a public water supply, will have their own private wells drilled on their property. Unfortunately, ground water can become contaminated by harmful chemicals, such as lawn care products and household cleaners that were used or disposed of improperly, and any number of other pollutants, that can enter the soil and rock, polluting the aquifer and eventually the well. Such contamination can pose a significant threat to human health. The measures that must be taken by well owners and water plant operators to either protect or clean up contaminated aquifers are quite often costly. 

The purpose of this experiment is to illustrate how water is stored in an aquifer, how ground water can become contaminated, and how this contamination ends up in a drinking water well. You will see how careless use and disposal of harmful contaminants above the ground can potentially end up in the drinking water below the ground.

Materials needed

1. 1 clear plastic cup that is 2 3/4" deep x 3 1/4" wide
2. 1 piece of modeling clay or floral clay that will allow a 2" flat pancake
3. White play sand that will measure 1/4" in bottom of the cup
4. Aquarium gravel (natural color if possible) or small pebbles (approximately 1/2 cup)
   (HINT: As many small rocks may have a powdery residue on them, you may wish to rinse and dry them on a clean towel prior to use. It is best if they do not add cloudiness to water.)
5. Red food coloring
6. 1 bucket of clean water and small cup to dip water from bucket

Procedure

1. Pour 1/4" of white sand in the bottom of each cup completely covering the bottom of the container. Pour water into the sand, wetting it completely (there should be no standing water on top of sand). You will see how the water is absorbed in the sand, but remains around the sand particles as it is stored in the ground and ultimately forming part of the aquifer. 
2. Flatten the modeling clay (like a pancake) and cover 1/2 of the sand with the clay (press the clay to one side of the container to seal off that side). The clay represents a "confining layer" that keeps water from passing through it. Pour a small amount of water onto the clay. Now, you will see how the water remains on top of the clay, only flowing into the sand below in areas not covered by the clay. 
3. Use the aquarium rocks to form the next layer of earth. Place the rocks over the sand and clay, covering the entire container. To one side of the cup, slope the rocks, forming a high hill and a valley. These layers represent some of the many layers contained in the earth's surface. Now pour water into your aquifer until the water in the valley is even with your hill. You will see the water stored around the rocks. These rocks are porous, allowing storage of water within the pours and openings between them. Pay attention to how "surface" supply of water (a small lake) has formed. You will be able to see how “surface” supply of water (a small lake) has formed, and how both ground and surface water supplies is used for drinking water purpose.  

Source: Enviromental Protection Agency

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General water treatment Water quality defined Hydrologic cycle of water Meteoric water and cycle Environmental factors of water Age of ground water Temperature of ground water Water quality of surface water Cistern water quality Summary of water quality and the environment	Hard water explained Hard water problems Softened water energy savings Hard water analysis Hard water and soap curd Ion exchange principles More on water softening Home water softener basics Water deionization Lime soda ash water treatment Water softener alternatives Truth about countertop & faucet water filters	3 Types of basic water TDS-Total dissolved solids Reverse osmosis treatment Alkalinity of water Reverse osmosis and pH Carbon dioxide in water Chloride and sulfate Fluoride in drinking water Hydrogen sulfide in water Nitrate/ nitrogen in water Oxygen in drinking water Silica in drinking water Sodium/methane/ phenol	Disease-causing organisms Micro-organism in water1 Micro-organism in water2 Viruses in drinking water Bacteria in drinking water Water disinfect methods1 Water disinfect methods2 Water disinfect-chlorine Dechlorinating filters Q&A Palatability of water Turbidity of drinking water Mechanical filtration Multi-media (depth filters) Color of drinking water

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