What do sand filters primarily remove from water?

Sand filters are designed primarily to remove suspended solids from water. These filters work by passing water through a bed of sand, which acts as a physical barrier. The size of the sand grains allows for the entrapment of particles like dirt, leaves, and other debris that are present in the water. This process helps improve water clarity and quality by effectively filtering out impurities before the water moves on to other treatment processes or is released into the environment.

The effectiveness of sand filters in removing suspended solids is a crucial aspect of their operation in water treatment systems. This ensures that the water is not only visually clearer but also safer for various uses, including industrial applications, irrigation, and even for consumption after further treatment.

While chlorine removal is a concern in water treatment, that is typically addressed through chemical processes or other filtration methods. Sand itself is the filtering medium and is not removed from the system. Lastly, while iron can sometimes be present in water sources, it is not the primary function of sand filters to remove it; other types of filtration or treatment methods are generally used for that purpose.