The ever increasing range of requirements for water quality has caused the water treatment industry to upgrade existing techniques, combine different methods and explore the new technologies that will make the water cleaner.

There's really no doubt that great improvements have been made in recent years, but myths and misconceptions still exist. Moreover, scientists have found that there are no two water treatment problems exactly the same.

Slight differences will always exist with more than one technically-acceptable and scientifically-sound solution to any water treatment problem. As a first conclusion, there are no absolutes when it comes to water treatment issues.

Pure water is one of the most aggressive solvents known. It is actually called the "universal solvent." Water, to a certain degree, will dissolve virtually everything to which it is exposed. Pure water is highly energetic and, like everything else in nature, seems to achieve energy equilibrium with its surroundings.

It will attempt to dissolve any quantity of material available until the solution reaches a certain state called saturation, the point at which there are practically no more solids that can be dissolved.

Among the contaminants found in water we can include atmospheric gases, minerals, organic materials (some that occur naturally, others that are man-made) and any other materials used to transport or store water.

A major issue concerning water purity is bacterial contamination and control of bacterial growth. Water is essential for all life, we all know that. It is a necessary medium for bacterial growth because it carries the nutrients without which life wouldn't be possible in any form. The water's thermal stability provides also a controlled environment.

There are now four visible trends which are occurring in the world and which may indicate increased applications for water purification in the 21st century.

The first one is the deterioration of the water supplies from increased chemical abuse. The second one is the development of increasingly sensitive instruments capable of detecting water contaminants in the parts per billion and even parts per trillion range.

The third trend is the growing sophistication of the general public's knowledge of water quality and the regulating authorities' response in mandating high standards.

Finally, the fourth and final trend refers to the development of new or refined high-technology products and biotechnology products which require ultra pure water as part of their manufacture. Water treatment techniques will require even greater sophistication in years ahead, if we want to drink pure water in the future also.