Water is an essential nutrient that living organisms, including humans cannot do without, hence, optimal hydration is a key component for good health. Studies have showed that water accounts for about 60 per cent of an adult’s body weight.
With this in mind, it is sad to know that 86 per cent of Nigerian households do not treat water before drinking, a report by Fitnigerian.com has revealed, even as it disclosed that 77.3 per cent of Nigerians’ household drinking water is contaminated by bacteria (especially E coli bacteria).
Unsafe water sources are the cause of 7.34 per cent of deaths in Nigeria, the report added. This is where the business comes in, as many households in Nigeria would need to treat their water to prevent sickness or death.
What is involved in treating water?
Water systems often use a series of water treatment steps that include coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection, the Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed.
On coagulation, the centre revealed that coagulation is often the first step in water treatment, adding that, “during coagulation, chemicals with a positive charge are added to the water. The positive charge neutralizes the negative charge of dirt and other dissolved particles in the water. When this occurs, the particles bind with the chemicals to form slightly larger particles. Common chemicals used in this step include specific types of salts, aluminum, or iron.
“Flocculation follows the coagulation step. Flocculation is the gentle mixing of the water to form larger, heavier particles called flocs. Often, water treatment plants will add additional chemicals during this step to help the flocs form. Sedimentation is also one of the steps water treatment plants use to separate solids from the water. During sedimentation, flocs settle to the bottom of the water because they are heavier than water.”
Starting the business
The first thing to do is to learn how to treat water. It is advisable to learn the job, at a reputable water treatment plant, a biologist, Sofia Okeke told LEADERSHIP.
“Learning the job entails knowing the chemicals used in water purification, the quantity to use and how to mix the chemicals, among others. This is essential as too much chemical could be dangerous to the health of the person consuming it. So, you have to know the right measurement,” Okeke advised.
Open Your Business
After learning the job, you can decide to open your own business, at a busy area, the biologist said, adding that, “You can also need to use the power of the social media to sell yourself. You would be amazed that a lot of Nigerians need your services. Also, ensure that your price is reasonable and affordable, so that the majority of Nigerians can patronize you. Don’t forget to do a good job, at any given opportunity to ensure continuity of business with your clients.”
Profitability
LEADERSHIP learnt this is a business that can fetch you millions of naira if you get your marketing rights.
