Water purification refers to the process of removing contaminants and undesirable substances from natural water sources to make them safe for consumption and use. This process typically involves a multi-stage approach, which may include physical separation methods, such as sedimentation and filtration, to remove particulate matter and suspended solids. Chemical treatments are often employed to stabilize the water, such as coagulation, which causes fine particles to clump together, facilitating removal. Furthermore, disinfection steps, using substances like chlorine compounds or ultraviolet radiation, are implemented to inactivate pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, thus reducing the risk of waterborne illness. Advanced methods may also incorporate reverse osmosis or distillation to remove dissolved salts and chemical contaminants, ensuring the resulting water meets rigorous standards of potability.