What is the primary purpose of sodium hydroxide in water treatment?

Sodium hydroxide is primarily used in water treatment to neutralize acidity. This chemical, being a strong base, reacts with acids in the water, raising the pH to more neutral levels. Maintaining a proper pH is important because it affects the solubility and availability of nutrients and contaminants, as well as the effectiveness of other water treatment processes.

A well-managed pH level is crucial for ensuring the safety of drinking water and the efficacy of subsequent treatment stages. By neutralizing acidity, sodium hydroxide helps create an optimal environment for other processes such as flocculation and sedimentation, where additional compounds may be added to remove contaminants from the water.