Full Description

As part of the implementation of the computerized water quality monitoring system at the City of Billings Water Treatment Plant, the existing filter performance was evaluated for removal of particles and turbidity. The monitoring system includes several on-line instruments to continuously measure and record key water quality parameters, including: particle counts, turbidity, pH, water temperature, and streaming current. Additional laboratory testing was also being conducted to supplement the online instruments, including periodic analysis for Cryptosporidium and Giardia. The data collected to date have provided new insights into the operational characteristics of the filters and identification of treatment deficiencies that need to be addressed. These investigations focused on the following issues related to the overall filter performance of the Billings Water Treatment Plant (WTP): Optimization of the current filter operation to provide maximum particle removal effectiveness, particularly for Giardia and Cryptosporidium sized particles; Comparison of particle counts and turbidity during filter operation at filter media interface versus filter effluent to establish any correlations that could be utilized to establish acceptable filter run lengths; Development of a relationship between Giardia and Cryptosporidium removal and particle count reduction through the plant; Evaluation of the effluent of alum versus ferric chloride on filter performance when used as the primary coagulant chemical; Evaluation of the benefits of using polymer addition to the filter backwash water to reduce turbidity and particle count increases during filter startup; Comparison of monitoring results of online versus laboratory particle counters to identify any differences or inconsistencies; and Evaluation of the effect of sample storage on particle counter results, to determine if it is practical to conduct delayed lab analyses on samples collected for particle counting. In addition, the plant facilities allow a number of treatment options that were investigated as part of the filter performance evaluation, including use of conventional or direct filtration treatment to remove turbidity from the raw water supply.

Product Details

Published: 01/01/1995 ISBN(s): 089867834X Number of Pages: 26File Size: 1 file , 1.2 MB