Treatment Processes: Coagulation and Filtration: Draft Guidelines For Drinking-Water Quality

CHAPTER 13
TREATMENT PROCESSES:
COAGULATION AND FILTRATION
Contents
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Coagulation process
13.3 Coagulants and flocculants
13.3.1 Definitions
13.3.2 Coagulants
13.3.3 Flocculants
13.3.4 Health effects
13.4 Coagulation and flocculation
13.4.1 Overview
13.4.2 Jar testing
13.4.3 Performance and control
13.5 Clarification and sedimentation
13.5.1 Overview
13.5.2 Clarifier types
13.5.3 Optimisation and performance issues
13.6 Two-stage lime softening
13.7 Rapid gravity filtration
13.7.1 Overview
13.7.2 Turbidity monitoring
13.7.3 Filter operation
13.7.4 Optimisation of the filtration process
13.8 Second stage filtration
REFERENCES
Draft Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality Management for New Zealand, October 2005
Figures and Tables
Figure 13.1: Conventional coagulation with sedimentation and filtration

Figure 13.2: Direct filtration
Figure 13.3: Lamella plate clarifier
Figure 13.4: Upflow adsorption clarifier
Figure 13.5: Dissolved air flotation
Figure 13.6: Actiflo process
Figure 13.7: Rapid gravity filtration
Chapter 13 Coagulation with Filtration 1
13.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter covers the water treatment process of chemical coagulation, with or without
sedimentation. It also covers the situation where sedimentation is not followed by rapid gravity
sand filtration. The discussion on coagulation includes details of chemical coagulants and
polyelectrolytes used in the process. The separate stages of coagulation, flocculation and
conventional sedimentation (also called clarification) are included. In current terminology
sedimentation is one of a number of processes that are grouped as clarification. New high-rate
clarification processes, (lamella plates, tube settlers, buoyant media clarifiers, dissolved air flotation
(DAF) and Actiflo®) are also covered in this chapter.
The discussion on filtration covers only rapid gravity sand filtration (pressure sand filters are used
sometimes). This is the most common filtration method following coagulation in New Zealand.
Other filtration methods that do not involve coagulation, e.g. diatomaceous earth, cartridge, slow
sand and membrane filtration, are discussed separately in Chapter 14. Although coagulation is
commonly practised with membrane filtration to remove colour, membrane filtration does not rely
on coagulation for removal of protozoa and is therefore classified separately as filtration without
coagulation, in terms of the Drinking-water Standards for New Zealand 2005 (DWSNZ).
The combined process of coagulation and filtration is commonly used throughout New Zealand and
is effective at removing dissolved and colloidal colour (natural organic matter), turbidity
(suspended solids), algae (phytoplankton), bacteria, viruses and protozoa (e.g. Giardia and
Cryptosporidium).
The DWSNZ outlines new turbidity criteria and turbidity monitoring requirements that must be met
by water treatment plants to ensure compliance with the protozoa criteria. Further guidance on
compliance with respect to coagulation and filtration is discussed in Chapter 8: Protozoa
Compliance, Section 8.3.2 of these Guidelines.
Risk management issues related to the treatment processes in this chapter are discussed in the:
MoH Public Health Risk Management Plan Guide PHRMP Ref. P5.1: Treatment Processes –
Coagulation/Flocculation/Sedimentation.
MoH Public Health Risk Management Plan Guide PHRMP Ref. P5.2: Treatment Processes –
Dissolved Air Flotation.
MoH Public Health Risk Management Plan Guide PHRMP Ref. P5.3: Treatment Processes – Direct
Filtration.
MoH Public Health Risk Management Plan Guide PHRMP Ref. P6.1: Treatment Processes – Rapid
Sand Filtration.
MoH Public Health Risk Management Plan Guide PHRMP Ref. P8.1. Treatment Processes – pH
Adjustment.
MoH Public Health Risk Management Plan Guide PHRMP Ref. P11: Treatment Processes – Plant
Construction and Operation.
13.2 COAGULATION PROCESS

Coagulation, flocculation and clarification, followed by rapid gravity sand filtration, are the key
steps in conventional water treatment systems. This is a well-proven technology for the significant
removal of colour and particulate matter including protozoa (e.g. Cryptosporidium oocysts and
Giardia cysts), viruses, bacteria, and other micro-organisms. Iron, manganese, tastes and odours
may also be removed from the water by these processes.
If not removed, natural organic matter can react with chlorine to reduce disinfection efficiency and
form chlorinated organic species, e.g. disinfection by-products (DBPs), some of which are chemical
contaminants of health significance, see Chapter 10: Chemical Compliance and Chapter 15:
Treatment Processes, Disinfection. Micro-organisms remaining in treated water may also pose risks
to public health.
Conventional treatment (coagulation, sedimentation and sand filtration), as illustrated in Figure

13.1, has several distinct stages. A coagulant is added to neutralise the natural electrical charges on
the colloidal particles that prevent them from agglomerating, and is rapidly mixed into the water to
be treated. This process is referred to as the coagulation stage. The process water will then enter a
flocculation chamber, where further chemicals may be added depending upon the raw water
characteristics and the level of treatment to be achieved. Gentle mixing during this stage allows
particles to agglomerate and form settleable flocs.
Figure 13.1: Conventional coagulation, sedimentation and filtration
Clarification usually follows the flocculation process. Typically in New Zealand this involves
sedimentation or settling, which allows the formed flocs to be separated for subsequent removal as
sludge. Clarification is then followed by filtration which provides a second, polishing step for
particulates that were not removed during the clarification step. The DWSNZ covers the situation
where rapid gravity sand filtration does not follow the sedimentation stage.
Some membrane filtration (mf) plants incorporate a coagulation and sedimentation step upstream of
the mf step. The coagulation process may be continuous, or intermittent depending on the raw
water quality.
For raw waters with consistently low colour (less than 40 TCU) and turbidity (less than 10 NTU),
direct filtration can be adopted, as illustrated in Figure 13.2. There is no clarification step in this
case, and the coagulated water flows directly to the filtration process, providing the only particulate
removal step.
Figure 13.2: Direct filtration
As new clarification processes are emerging and becoming increasingly common, further variances
from the conventional coagulation/filtration process will become more common. Lamella plates
can be installed in place of traditional sedimentation tanks, and tube settlers can be placed in the
tanks. These do not alter the basic principles of the process, but they improve the efficiency and
allow higher throughputs for the same footprint to be achieved.
Dissolved air flotation (DAF) can be installed in place of the conventional sedimentation tank (or
clarifier) and this process floats, rather than settles, the flocs. Widely used in Europe and now
becoming more common in North America, DAF can be used for treating moderate turbidity and
high colour waters. It is especially effective at removing algae, which are difficult to remove by
sedimentation and would otherwise clog downstream filters, and for raw waters that produce flocs
with poor settling characteristics. The DAF process can be a good choice for very cold water
temperatures because it is more effective at removing the weak flocs that are commonly produced
in such waters.
A further development, the Actiflo® process, is a ballasted flocculation process, which adds
microsand to the flocculation chamber. Coagulation, flocculation and clarification are provided as a
single unit.
A further variation is the buoyant media clarifier (also called the adsorption clarifier). This process
combines the flocculation and clarifier into one stage, and effectively acts more like a filtration
process, rather than a settling clarifier. This process is best suited for raw waters of lower turbidity.
13.3 COAGULANTS AND FLOCCULANTS

13.3.1 DEFINITIONS
The addition of certain chemicals into the raw water causes particles to destabilise and allows
agglomeration and floc formation to occur. The general terms for chemicals used for this purpose
are:
• coagulants, which assist the destabilisation of particles (particularly colloidal sizes)
• flocculants (also known as flocculant aids or coagulant aids), which assist in the joining and
enmeshing of the particles together.
13.3.2 COAGULANTS
Most New Zealand water treatment plants use aluminium-based coagulants (e.g. aluminium
sulphate (alum) or polyaluminium chloride (PACl). Aluminium chlorohydrate (ACH) has limited
usage, mainly in membrane filtration. A very small number of plants use iron-based coagulants
(ferric chloride or ferric sulphate). Although alum and PACl are most commonly used, other
coagulants may have benefits in particular applications, such as low turbidity waters. NZWWA
(1997) published the second edition of a standard that covered aluminium sulphate.
PACl and ACH are two of a number of pre-hydrolysed metal salt coagulant solutions that have been
developed in recent years. The key characteristic of this class of coagulants is that they consume
less alkalinity when added to the raw water, and are less affected by low water temperatures than
alum.
In addition to aluminium and iron-based (inorganic) coagulants, organic chemicals known as

polyelectrolytes may also be used as coagulants or flocculant aids, to assist in producing low
turbidity levels in treated water. This is particularly necessary for high rate filtration and high rate
clarification processes.
Polyelectrolyte coagulants such as polyamines, polyacrylamides, and polyDADMACs are being

used increasingly in New Zealand, especially on low turbidity, low colour waters, where treatment
is by direct filtration. They can also be used in conjunction with inorganic coagulants, in which
case they are referred to as a coagulant aid.
13.3.3 FLOCCULANTS
Polyelectrolytes are commonly used as flocculants in the majority of water treatment plants in New
Zealand. As a flocculant aid the chemicals are added following coagulant dosing to increase the
size, strength and settleability of flocs. Polyacrylamide-based polyelectrolytes are the most
commonly used flocculants in New Zealand. These may be cationic, anionic, or non-ionic. They
are produced with varying degrees of ionicity and in a range of molecular weights.
13.3.4 HEALTH EFFECTS
For some time concerns have been raised in the international technical literature and by interest
groups about whether there are adverse health effects on consumers from residuals of chemicals in
drinking-water following treatment. As an example, some communities have opted not to use
aluminium-based coagulants because of unsubstantiated reports that claim that the aluminium in
drinking-water poses a risk to public health, despite scientific evidence (e.g. Srinivasan et al., 1999)
that adverse effects have not been demonstrated. Because there is no evidence of health risk, based
on WHO (2004), the DWSNZ does not have a Maximum Allowable Value (MAV) for aluminium.
Alternatives to aluminium coagulants exist, e.g. iron-based coagulants such as ferric chloride, but
there may be performance and cost penalties associated with their use.
Proven concerns do exist for kidney dialysis patients if the water that is used by the patient as the
dialysate liquid contains high concentrations of residual aluminium. Users of dialysis machines
should be advised to provide specific pre-dialysis treatment to ensure that residual concentrations of
this and some other contaminants potentially introduced by treatment chemicals are kept to
acceptably low levels. This is absolutely critical if aluminium is being used in the treatment of a
supply for the first time, even though DWSNZ is strictly speaking only applicable to water intended
for drinking (refer Section 1.2 of DWSNZ).
If water treatment chemicals are used in such a way that their residual concentration in the drinking-
water does not exceed the MAV, available research indicates there will be no significant risk to
health from drinking the water. However, industry practice is to operate treatment plants
significantly below these levels.
Only organic coagulants that are specifically manufactured for potable water use should be used in
drinking-water treatment. The monomers used in the manufacture of many polyelectrolytes are
toxic, and the manufacturing process needs to be controlled properly to limit the quantity of
unreacted monomer in the manufactured polyelectrolyte. For example acrylamide (a monomer
residual of the manufacture of polyacrylamides) has proven toxicity and carcinogenicity (its MAV
is 0.0006 mg/L). Epichlorohydrin (present in dimethylamine/epichlorohydrin cationic
polyelectrolytes) also has a MAV listed in the DWSNZ (0.0005 mg/L). The NZWWA Standards
(1999) for the supply of three types of polyelectrolytes for use in drinking-water treatment outline
minimum requirements to ensure that high quality and low impurity products are used in drinking-
water treatment applications.
The total dose of polyelectrolytes applied in the water treatment process should be controlled to
limit the residuals in the treated water, see Chapter 10: Chemical Compliance. In particular, the
doses applied in sludge dewatering need to be taken into account if the supernatant water is recycled
into the treatment process.
13.4 COAGULATION AND FLOCCULATION

13.4.1 OVERVIEW
Coagulation and flocculation processes are intended to form particles large enough to be separated
and removed by subsequent sedimentation, or alternative clarification processes.
The coagulation stage occurs when a coagulant, such as alum, is added to the water to neutralise the
charges on the colloidal particles in the raw water, thus bringing the particles closer together to
allow a floc to begin to form. Rapid, high energy mixing (e.g. mechanical mixers, in-line blenders,
jet sparge mixing) is necessary to ensure the coagulant is fully mixed into the process flow to
maximise its effectiveness. The coagulation process occurs very quickly, in a matter of fractions of
a second. Poor mixing can result in a poorly developed floc.
The flocculation process, following coagulation, allows smaller particles formed during the rapid
coagulation stage to agglomerate into larger particles to form settleable and/or filterable floc
particles. After coagulant addition, the process water is mixed slowly for a defined flocculation
period, commonly 10 - 30 minutes, however the optimum flocculation time will vary depending on
the raw water quality and downstream clarification process. Gentle mixing during this stage
provides maximum particle contact for floc formation, whilst minimising turbulence and shear
which may damage the flocs. Effectiveness of flocculation depends on the delay (or contact) time
and mixing conditions prior to any flocculants being added, the rate of treatment, water temperature
and the mixing conditions within the flocculation chamber.
Contact flocculation is a variation from conventional flocculation in which the flocculation takes
place within the clarification process. The coagulation step remains the same, however the
flocculation chamber contains a contact medium. This medium traps the flocculating particles,
which will then attach to other particles, thereby continually increasing the size of the flocs until the
build up of particles clogs the media. Backwashing is then required to remove the flocculated
particles. Refer to Figure 13.4 (upflow adsorption clarifier).
13.4.2 JAR TESTING
The best approach for determining the treatability of a water source and determining the optimum
parameters (most effective coagulant, required dose rates, pH, flocculation times, most effective
flocculant aids) is by use of a jar tester.
As optimum pH and coagulant dose vary significantly with raw water characteristics, an initial
thorough investigation into the variations in raw water quality from the source should help in the
selection of the appropriate type of coagulation system to be used and its design. Unexpected
variations in raw water quality can cause the coagulation process to be compromised, causing
consequent problems with treated water quality.
The normal procedure when conducting a jar test is to initially find the best performing coagulant
and dose rate, and then to determine the optimum pH for the chosen coagulant and dose rate.
Performance is usually judged on turbidity, and then on colour removal. Jar tests can also be used
to compare the usefulness of different flocculant polyelectrolytes, but not their optimum dose rates,
this must be done on the plant itself.
Standard aluminium and iron salt coagulants are acidic and therefore neutralise the alkalinity
present in the raw water. Excess alkalinity (after the addition of coagulant) is needed to allow good
floc formation. The optimum coagulant dose added at the wrong pH could result in almost no floc
formation. In New Zealand’s soft surface waters the optimum pH for coagulation is often only
achieved by adding an alkali such as soda ash, perhaps in the range of 5 - 20 mg/L, see Section
13.4.3.
A raw water with a high pH and a low coagulant demand may not reach the optimal pH without
adding acid. However, unless the acid requirement is quite high, the optimum pH is usually
achieved simply by adding excess coagulant. This should not be done if it unduly increases the
concentration of aluminium in the finished water.
Smaller water treatment plants often choose to use PACl to avoid the need to dose alkali or acid, as
PACl is much less acidic than alum and effective over a broader range of pH values.
To assist in maintaining good control of the coagulation process, jar tests should be carried out
routinely as part of the plant laboratory process control. The procedure should be conducted
frequently, whenever changes in the characteristics of the raw water occur; e.g. after rain, intake
changes, etc, or when the water treatment plant is performing poorly.
Depending on the experience of the operator and the extent to which the raw water characteristics
have changed since the current dose rates were chosen, the first set of jar tests usually trials a range
coagulant doses. Examination of the results should indicate which coagulant dose is closer to that
required for removal of the colour and turbidity. Many water supplies need a second set of jar tests
at different pH values, to give an indication of where the optimum pH is likely to be. Subsequent
jar tests fine up on the dosage selection. Generally, the more turbidity and colour there is, the
higher the optimum coagulant dose. Experienced operators will know, usually from the turbidity,
how much coagulant is needed to remove the solids (or colour) load. Alum or iron salts are usually
dosed at about 15 - 50 mg/L (solid weight equivalent).
The individual jars are assessed for a variety of factors, including which developed a floc first,
which jar’s floc grew the largest, which settled fastest and which gave a supernatant with the lowest
colour, turbidity and coagulant residual. Normally, the same jar scores best on each count. In some
difficult waters the optimum dosage conditions are different for colour and turbidity removal, or the
optimum dose for colour and turbidity removal results in excessive residual concentrations of
coagulant entering the distribution system. These waters require extensive jar testing to determine
the best compromise. The number of jar tests needed to determine optimum parameters is learned
from experience.
Refer to AWWA (2000) for further information on the jar testing procedure.
Additional laboratory equipment useful for managing coagulation and subsequent treatment
includes a bench turbidimeter, colour comparator, pH meter, alkalinity titration equipment and a
spectrophotometer for measuring aluminium and possibly iron and manganese residual
concentrations following treatment. Colour measurement is a fairly subjective test, and readings
made by a group of people can have a wide spread. If the laboratory intends to use a
spectrophotometer, it may be wise to purchase a UV/visible model, as for a particular water a
correlation can be established between the true colour (Hazen units) and the UV absorbance
measured in a 1 cm cell at 254 or 270 nm after filtration.
13.4.3 PERFORMANCE AND CONTROL
The performance of coagulation and flocculation is dependent on a large number of factors, many
of which are inter-related, making optimisation difficult. Source water characteristics, chemical
dose rates, mixing conditions, flocculation times, the selection of chemicals and their order of
addition, can all affect performance. Control of pH and alkalinity is also essential to maintain
performance.
Clarifier and filter performance will also be directly affected by the overall performance of these
stages of the process. It is therefore critical to maintain good performance and control of
coagulation and flocculation for overall treatment plant performance.
Depending on the pH of the source water, pH adjustment prior to coagulant addition may be
required to achieve the optimum pH levels. Subsequent readjustment will almost certainly be
required to ensure acceptable pH levels in the distribution system.
The optimum pH for the coagulation process varies with the choice of coagulant. For aluminium
sulphate it is usually 5.5 to 7.5, for ferric salts it is within the range 5 to 8.5. The optimum pH will
vary with changing raw water characteristics.
Many surface waters in New Zealand have an alkalinity of less than 20 mg/L as CaCO3. 1 mg/L of
alum (measured as solid weight equivalent1) will consume 0.5 mg/L of alkalinity (as CaCO3). If all
the alkalinity is neutralised, no more floc will form. Often the alum dose required to coagulate all
the turbidity and colour present requires soda ash, caustic soda or hydrated lime to be dosed to
achieve additional alkalinity and maintain control of the pH. This commonly occurs after heavy
rain, and if the alkalinity and pH are not controlled, process failure can result, with turbid water
entering the distribution system.
Being a sensitive, physico-chemical process, coagulation/flocculation is most reliable when raw

water quality is consistent, when changes occur slowly, or when adequate automation is used to
respond to changes in raw water quality. Unfortunately, this is not true of many of our streams and
rivers. See Chapter 12: Pretreatment Processes, Section 12.3.2 for a discussion on off-river storage.
As raw water conditions change, optimal coagulation dose rates also change and careful control is
required to prevent overdosing and underdosing.
Overdosing can lead to excessive concentrations of coagulant entering the distribution system. This
can occur if the pH and alkalinity are not controlled at optimum levels too. The Guideline value for
aluminium is 0.1 mg/L as Al, which is roughly equivalent to 1.1 mg/L as solid weight equivalent
alum.
Underdosing can cause poor removal of colour, turbidity and micro-organisms.
Continual monitoring of raw water quality determinands, such as pH and turbidity will aid
treatment plant performance and assist in selecting optimum coagulation dose rates. Control of the
coagulation process can be automated. Two control methods used in New Zealand for coagulation
are the streaming current monitor (very common) and feed forward control (less common).
1
Solid weight equivalent alum refers to Al2(SO4)3.14H2O (molecular weight of 594). NZ liquid alum is
delivered as 47% w/w (equivalent to 62% w/v). Sometimes alum doses are reported as Al2O3 (molecular
weight of 102, 8.2% w/w of as-delivered liquid alum) or as Al (molecular weight of 54, 4.3% w/w of as-
delivered liquid alum).
• Streaming current monitors measure the zeta potential (a measure of the electrical charge on
the particles in the water) of the raw water following chemical addition and this can be used
to adjust the coagulant dose rate accordingly as the raw water characteristics vary. This
process was described by Ogilvie (1998).
• Feed forward control systems monitor natural organic matter (using UV light) and pH in the
raw water prior to coagulant addition and predict the required coagulant dose rates to be
applied.
13.5 CLARIFICATION AND SEDIMENTATION

13.5.1 OVERVIEW
The term clarification, or sedimentation, is normally used to describe the settling of the flocs
produced by the coagulation and flocculation process. This is distinct from presettling of highly
turbid waters in detention ponds, which is discussed in Chapter 12: Pretreatment Processes, Section
12.3.3.
Historically, clarification involved the simple principle of particle settling to separate the floc
particles. New technologies such as dissolved air flotation (DAF), and high rate clarification
processes, such as lamella plates, tube settlers, Actiflo®, and buoyant media clarification, have been
developed and are being used increasingly. These clarification processes are illustrated in Figures
13.3 to 13.6 and described below. The majority of the clarifiers in New Zealand are of the upflow,
sludge blanket, hopper bottomed configuration. However, there are small numbers of most other
designs including DAF, buoyant media clarifiers and lamella settlers.
The surface loading rate is a key parameter in clarifier design, irrespective of the clarifier type.
This is usually expressed in m3/m2/h (more correctly m3/m2.h or m/h). This is the flow (m3/h) that
occurs over the horizontal area (m2) of the settling zone of the tank. Acceptable surface loading
rates vary significantly for the different clarification types from 2 m/h for a hopper bottomed
upflow clarifier, to 12 m/h for a DAF process, to 40 m/h for the Actiflo® process.
13.5.2 CLARIFIER TYPES
Conventional Clarifiers
Conventional clarifiers (or sedimentation tanks) may be classified on the basis of flow direction
(horizontal, radial, or upflow), the presence or absence of a sludge blanket, and shape (circular,
rectangular, or hopper/wedge bottomed). A few plants recycle a fraction of the sludge in an effort
to improve flocculation. Upflow clarifiers are suitable for a large range of raw water turbidities,
however they are sensitive to flow changes. Flocculation times of 3 - 6 minutes are typical, (further
flocculation will continue to occur in the clarifier itself) whereas horizontal clarifiers require
approximately 20 - 30 minutes flocculation time. Typical surface loading rates for conventional
clarifiers are 2 m/h. This can be increased to up to 5 m/h if polyelectrolytes are used.
Lamella Settlers
Lamella settlers, Figure 13.3, make use of inclined plates or tubes to increase the effective surface
area for settling (and hence are also known as plate or tube settlers), thereby increasing the
efficiency of the clarification process. For a given throughput the footprint of a lamella settler will
be considerably less than a conventional clarifier. Typical surface loading rates are 5 - 15 m/h.
Lamella settlers are less vulnerable to flow fluctuations than conventional clarifiers.
Figure 13.3: Lamella plates
Buoyant Media Clarifiers

Buoyant media clarifiers, or adsorption clarifiers, Figure 13.4, are a variant on the conventional
clarification stage and combine flocculation and clarification into one step. The coagulated water
passes through a medium of buoyant adsorption material (normally a plastic), kept in place by a
screen. This allows contact flocculation to take place as flocs attach to the media and are thereby
removed from the water. Solids will continually build up until the media clogs. Backwashing is
then required to expand the media and remove the solids.
Figure 13.4: Adsorption clarifier
This process often requires a larger polyelectrolyte dose and is better suited to raw water sources
with low turbidity and colour. High turbidities will very quickly clog the media and result in
excessive backwashing. Typical surface loading rates of 19 - 25 m/h can be applied.
Dissolved Air Flotation

Dissolved air flotation (DAF), as illustrated in Figure 13.5, is a clarification process particularly
effective for removal of colour and algae cells that are difficult to settle. It is suited to moderate
levels of turbidity, and only small doses of polyelectrolyte are typically required. Surface loading
rates of 10 - 12 m/h are common.
Figure 13.5: Dissolved air flotation (DAF)
The process works by injecting small air bubbles near the inlet of the flotation tank, which attach to
flocs formed in a separate flocculation tank, and floats them to the surface. Flocculation times of 15
- 20 minutes are typically required. Clarified water is then collected from the tank bottom. A
portion of the flow (approximately 5 - 10%) is recycled and saturated with air. The recycled water
re-enters the flotation tank through a series of nozzles, causing a pressure reduction that releases
small air bubbles from the saturated water.
Floated flocs collect as a sludge layer on the water surface. Periodic desludging occurs either by
hydraulic flooding of the flotation tank, the sludge layer spilling over a collection weir, or by
mechanical skimming, which will form a thicker sludge.
The in-filter DAF (sometimes referred to as DAFF) is a variation of the typical DAF process in
which the base of the DAF tank is made into a rapid gravity filter, thus incorporating clarification
and filtration into one step.
Pulsed blanket clarifiers

Pulsed blanket clarifiers use a vacuum system to create pulsations to hold the sludge blanket in
suspension and aid flocculation, allowing for higher surface loading rates (up to 3 m/hr). In the
Superpulsator® system (installed at the Waikato Water Treatment Plant), clarification is enhanced
by inclined plates, allowing surface loading rates of up to about 6 m/hr.
Actiflo
The Actiflo® process is a package plant, microsand ballasted clarification process, as illustrated in
Figure 13.6. The process reduces flocculation times to approximately 5 - 10 minutes, and allows
very high surface loading rates of 30 - 40 m/h (up to 100 m/h). There are no Actiflo® units
currently operating in New Zealand.
Figure 13.6: Actiflo process
Coagulant addition and mixing occurs in the first chamber. Polyelectrolytes and microsand are
added in a second chamber, and flocculation occurs in the third chamber. The flocculated water is
then passed through a lamella settler. Settled sludge is collected and passed through a
hydrocyclone, in which the microsand and floc particles are separated. The microsand is recycled
back through the process and the sludge is separated for disposal.
The use of microsand as a seed for floc formation improves performance in two ways. The high
specific area assists floc formation, whilst the high specific density improves the settleability
characteristics of the flocs.
The Actiflo® process is similar in some respects to the Sirofloc process that was developed in
Australia in the 1990s, except that the Sirofloc process uses 1 – 10 µm magnetite that behaves
similarly to a coagulant when added (with acid) to the raw water. The resulting suspension is then
subject to a magnetic field to form settleable flocs. The magnetite is recovered and reused.
13.5.3 OPTIMISATION AND PERFORMANCE ISSUES
Most clarifiers will provide a reasonable level of treatment provided the upstream chemical dosing
is optimised, and a reasonable surface loading rate suitable for the clarification type, is not
exceeded. For example, studies on the removal of protozoan cysts in conventional treatment have
shown that the clarifier is usually responsible for over 90 percent (1 log) of the (oo)cyst removal
(USEPA 2003).
High effluent turbidities in water leaving a clarifier are indicative of poor performance. Flocs,
which should have been removed in the clarifier, pass out and on to the filters. This will result in
reduced filter run times and poorer filtered water quality. A well operating clarifier should be able
to produce an effluent of turbidity 2 NTU or less. Conventional clarifiers are sensitive to changes in
flowrate, however, high rate clarification processes are less susceptible to such changes.
There is limited guidance for clarifier performance. The US Partnership for Safe Water Guidelines
for Phase IV “Excellence in Water Treatment” sets performance goals as part of overall plant
performance to achieve less than 0.10 NTU filtered water. This includes clarified water turbidity:
• less than 1.0 NTU 95% of the time when raw water is less than or equal to 10 NTU, and
• less than 2.0 NTU 95% of the time when raw water turbidity is >10 NTU.
A key aspect of consistently achieving <0.10 NTU filtered water turbidity is that changes in raw
water turbidity should have minimal effect on clarified water turbidity, and negligible effect on
individual filter turbidity. This requires optimisation of coagulation. See information on this
subject at: http://www.awwa.org/science/partnership/Overview/O06HOW_IT_WORKS.CFM
A common operational problem in clarifiers of the hopper-bottomed upflow type in New Zealand is
for short-circuiting currents to occur, usually in summer and around the middle of the afternoon.
This can be attributed to a temperature differential between the incoming water and the water in the
tank. The result is a billowing of the floc blanket and subsequent carry-over of floc on to the filters.
The same effect can be caused by algae in the sludge blanket becoming buoyant due to production
of oxygen. High algal populations are needed for this effect to become a nuisance. Clarifiers with
good inflow mixing do not seem to experience the same degree of problem. The only satisfactory
solution to this problem, (apart from fitting tube settlers to the tank), appears to be to reduce the
flow and hence the surface loading rate over the problem period.
Another common problem is excessive floc carry-over caused by uneven flows occurring over the
clarifier surface. Inspecting and levelling the outlet weirs to ensure that all receive equal flows can
correct this. If the flows are still uneven, the inlet flows to each clarifier must be checked, and
adjusted so that they are even. For non-hopper bottomed clarifiers it is also important to ensure that
the distribution of the flow within the clarifier is even.
Multiple tanks in larger plants often experience a high frequency wave in the outlet weirs that may
disrupt the floc blanket. However, this generally does not cause a significant problem.
For clarifiers using a floc blanket, good control of the blanket surface and regular removal of floc
from both the top and body of the blanket and base of the tank is important. In conventional
clarifiers, the use of sludge (or gravilectric) cones gives better results than the earlier system of
constructed corner pockets. Bottom sludge scours should be operated regularly (based on
experience) to keep sludge fresh and prevent excessive sludge build up.
Regular sludge removal is important for all clarifier types. For DAF units, desludging should also
occur regularly to prevent sludge re-settling. The sludge in this process is exposed, so it is
important that the tanks are covered to prevent the rain and wind affecting performance.
Buoyant media clarifiers need to be backwashed when the media becomes clogged, again to prevent
excessive floc carry-over to the downstream filtration step.
Growth of algae and slimes on the walls of sedimentation tanks and other channels should be
discouraged. Regular cleaning is recommended, because such material can increase the levels of
dissolved organic matter that the plant must contend with, and can contribute to taste and odour
problems.
13.6 TWO-STAGE LIME SOFTENING

Water containing significant concentrations of calcium and magnesium is referred to as hard water.
Hard water can cause scaling of pipes and household appliances and reduces the solubility of soaps
and detergents in the water. The process of water softening removes the calcium ions (and
magnesium, depending on the pH) that cause hard water. Lime softening and ion exchange
processes can be used to soften water, however both are currently of limited use in New Zealand for
drinking-water.
The lime softening process removes hardness by chemical precipitation, followed by sedimentation
and filtration, therefore showing similarities to the conventional clarification process. Lime or soda
ash is added to the water, increasing the pH, which causes the metal ions to precipitate. The metal
precipitates are removed during the sedimentation stage, prior to filtration. Other contaminants may
also combine with the precipitates and be removed by this process. The microbial treatment
mechanism of this process is a combination of inactivation due to elevated pH levels, and removal
by sedimentation. However, Cryptosporidium and Giardia are not inactivated by high pH levels.
Removal of protozoa through this process is solely due to the sedimentation and filtration.
A single stage lime softening plant consists of a primary clarifier and filtration step. An additional
clarifier is required between the primary clarifier and the filtration step for two-stage lime softening.
A coagulant is added to both stages of clarification. Two-stage lime softening can provide
additional Cryptosporidium removal due to the additional sedimentation stage within the process.
13.7 RAPID GRAVITY FILTRATION

13.7.1 OVERVIEW
Rapid gravity filtration, as illustrated in Figure 13.7, provides the normal polishing step following
coagulation and clarification, and the only floc removal/polishing step in direct filtration plants. It
is the most common type of filtration used in New Zealand water treatment plants. Other filtration
processes not generally used in conjunction with coagulation and are discussed separately in
Chapter 14:Treatment Processes, Filtration.
Figure 13.7: Rapid gravity filter
Like clarifiers, filters can be described by their filtration rate. This is usually expressed as m3/m2/h
(more correctly m3/m2.h or m/h) and is the flowrate (m3/h) that occurs over the surface area (m2) of
the filter bed. Filtration rates are also measured as mm/s.
Older filters were designed to operate at around 5 m/h (1.4 mm/s). However, many modern filters
and dual media filters will operate at higher filtration rates of 10 - 15 m/h (2.8 – 4.2 mm/s),
especially if the coagulant is assisted with polyelectrolyte.
As water passes through a filter bed of media, particulate matter (including micro-organisms) is
trapped within the media primarily by a two-step process in which particles are moved to the
surfaces of media grains or previously captured floc, and then become attached (adsorbed) to these
surfaces. Physical straining is only a minor factor in rapid gravity filtration.
The particles that build up in the bed are subsequently removed by backwashing at regular intervals.
Traditionally, single medium sand filters of shallow depth (typically between 600 and 750 mm
excluding support gravel) were the most common. However, newer plants often contain dual
media, either anthracite or thermally modified pumice (silicon sponge) over sand, or coarse medium
deep bed with typical total media depths of between 1.2 and 1.5 m. For further information on
these newer media refer to Kawamura (2000), and for pumice (or porous ceramic dual media) filters
refer to Hill and Langdon (1991).
By using a polyelectrolyte as a filter aid the strength of the attachment between particles and the
media grains/flocs can be increased allowing higher filtration rates and coarser media gradings to be
used. It also means the filter is less likely to let go of these particles following flow increases.
If too much polyelectrolyte is dosed, the particles will adsorb to sand grains at the top of the filter,
causing the headloss to increase too quickly. At a more appropriate polyelectrolyte dose, the
particles penetrate further into the bed, making more use of the full depth of the media, and
allowing much longer filter runs.
Rapid gravity filters can be operated at either a constant rate of flow (constant rate filtration) or at a
flow rate that declines as headloss builds up during a filter run (declining rate filtration). Constant
rate filtration is the more common method and is normally achieved by the control valve on the
filter outlet opening progressively during a filter run to compensate for the build up of headloss
though the bed.
Backwashing is the term used to describe the cleaning of the filter by passing water (often preceded
by, and/or in combination with, air) in the reverse flow direction to when the filter is in normal
operation. Similarly to the term filtration rate, the term backwash rate in m/hr (or mm/s) is used to
describe the intensity of the backwash operation. Traditionally in New Zealand, backwash rates
were low (typically 20 – 25 m/hr) preceded by an air scour at a similar rate. There are a variety of
systems in use including air scour followed by water backwash, water only, and combined air/water
followed by water backwash. Modern best practice is a combined air scour/low rate water
backwash (the optimal regime is known as collapse pulsing), followed by a high rate water
backwash (as high as 55 m/hr). A bed expansion of 20% is the objective during the high-rate
backwash to ensure full bed fluidisation and adequate cleaning. Note that to achieve the same
degree of bed expansion will require higher flow rates in summer compared with winter, as warmer
water has a lower viscosity than cold, and the effects of this should be considered in backwash
design.
13.7.2 TURBIDITY MONITORING
Turbidity measurement is used to assess the efficiency of the filter in achieving protozoa removal
for compliance with DWSNZ. Sampling must be made on water directly from the filtration
process. The DWSNZ require turbidity monitoring of each filter (unless the population served is
below a threshold value – see Table 5.3 of DWSNZ). Particle counters can also be used to measure
and optimise filter performance, but these are not required for compliance purposes.
Although turbidimeters are not required on individual filter at smaller plants, their use is strongly
encouraged. This is because when measuring a combined effluent from multiple filters, one filter
may be producing poor quality water that is then diluted by good quality water from the other filters
and the sub-standard filter would not be noticed. Continuously monitoring each filter will indicate
whether any slow start mechanism, the headloss control, filter run length, filtration rate control, and
filter cleaning are operating or selected correctly.
To earn 3 log credits under DWSNZ for protozoa removal using the coagulation, sedimentation,
filtration process, or 2.5 log credits for direct filtration, one of the requirements is that the filtrate
from each filter must be less than 0.30 NTU for at least 95 percent of the time (DWSNZ, Sections
5.4 and 5.5). Additional log credits are available for enhanced filtration, i.e. individual filter
effluent (IFE) monitoring, combined filter effluent (CFE) monitoring, and secondary filtration
monitoring, see Chapter 8: Protozoa Compliance. Turbidity measurement and calibration is
discussed in Chapter 8: Protozoa Compliance Section 8.5.3.1.
13.7.3 FILTER OPERATION
As solids build up through the bed, headloss across the bed will increase and at some stage turbidity
will also increase. Backwashing frequency can therefore be triggered by headloss, turbidity or filter
run times (based on operational experience). The filter goes through a ripening period when it is
brought back on-line, during which time the filtrate quality will be sub-standard. For this reason
slow-start, delayed starts, and filter-to-waste are becoming common practice.
13.7.4 OPTIMISATION OF THE FILTRATION PROCESS
Increased filtrate turbidity is the primary indication of problems with a filter, however reduced run
times (caused by turbidity or headloss reaching the set point earlier than usual) can also highlight
problems.
Raw water that has high colour and low turbidity (and typically with low alkalinity) can be very
difficult to treat, particularly when the water is less than say 10°C. The floc often only forms in a
narrow range of alum dose and pH conditions. It is usually small, slow to form, and light, so that it
is very susceptible to shear due to flow changes. It can even be difficult to see. .These waters can
also be susceptible to elevated aluminium levels in the filtered water, and hence additional attention
should be paid to monitoring filtered water aluminium.
If turbidity increases are observed across all filters, there is likely to be a common problem
upstream of the filter. The following are some possible causes of high turbidity in the filtered
water:
• non-optimal coagulant dosing may cause poor floc formation, which can overload and/or or
pass through the filters
• flowrates may have been increased too rapidly, causing sludge blanket instability
• floc carry-over from a poor clarification process will increase the solids loading on to the
filters, reducing run times and causing excessive backwashing
• insufficient polyelectrolyte for the conditions, causing sludge blanket instability
• excessive polyelectrolyte dosing, which can quickly blind the filter and reduce filter
performance
• direct filtration, being a one-step process, is particularly susceptible to sudden changes in
raw water quality.
Monitoring the raw water quality, and optimisation of the coagulation and clarification processes
can minimise these effects.
If filtered water turbidity is high on a single filter, the problem is likely to reside only with that
filter. Problems with individual filters can often be attributed to inefficient backwashing or
maintenance. Some problems, their consequences, and potential indicators are listed below:
• backwash/air scour flowrates too low or duration too short. Insufficient washing of media
before filter comes back on line. Reduced filter run times.
- Elevated clean bed headlosses (above normal values) on start-up immediately after
a backwash is a good indication that insufficient backwashing is occurring
• backwash/air scour flowrates too high or duration too long. Over-washing may lead to
media loss (thus reducing media depth in the filter), or impairment of the media’s ability to
adsorb particles.
- Checking and recording the media depth at regular intervals can highlight if media
is being lost due to over washing.
• failed or blocked backwash nozzles or underdrain system. Reduces backwashing flows.

- Observation of a filter during the washing stage and assessing the media after a
wash can assist in detecting individual failed nozzles: the overall water or air
distribution pattern during the wash will be uneven.
• uneven flow split to each filter may cause reduced filter run times for some filters. Inlet
pipe or channel configurations should be checked.
Sudden flow changes can cause problems with filtrate quality, e.g. when:
• filters are taken out of service, as there will be a corresponding flow increase to the other
filters. Allowing only gradual flow changes during this operation, rather than a sudden
change, will minimise these effects
• poor flow control at the outlet from the filter typically caused by incorrect valve and/or
actuator selection.
Other common problems with granular media filters include bed cracking, shrinkage of the media
away from the walls, mudballing, and the media in multimedia beds mixing. These are generally
caused by excessive clarifier effluent turbidity, dosing polyelectrolyte too high, poor filter
backwash/air scour capability, or excessive filtration rates for the filter type, and can usually be
checked by visually assessing or sampling the media.
Mudballing problems (i.e. sand particles sticking together) can be alleviated by using high pressure
sparge cleaning and/or acid, chlorine or caustic soda washing to break up the mud balls. Often
there is a more fundamental problem that needs to be addressed to solve the problem long term,
such as inadequate filter backwashing that may require significant upgrading of the filters.
A quick checklist that can be used if the turbidity of a filter effluent exceeds the required or normal
level is as follows; determine whether:
• the raw water quality changed
• the solids loading on the filters increased
• the coagulant dose was selected correctly
• the coagulant is being dosed correctly
• the coagulation pH is optimum
• polyelectrolyte is needed or is being dosed correctly
• the turbidity excursions occur at the same time of day or season (e.g. algal problems)
• one or more of the filters is responsible
• the filters are receiving equal flows
• the backwash and air scour flows and pressures are correct
• parts of the bed are mudballed (blocked), causing uneven filtration rates
• the filter beds are cracked or shrinking away from the walls
• excessive sand loss has reduced the media depth
• the filter rate is excessive for the type of filter.
If the turbidity readings tend to spike the following should be checked:

• which filters are responsible
• whether the filters are returning to service too soon after a wash
• whether the slow start mechanism is operating correctly
• whether a filter run was excessive
• whether the state of the filter bed and underdrainage system cause poor backwashing
• whether the headloss instruments or flow controllers are inaccurate
• whether the treatment plant output increased too much or too rapidly
• whether the flow balancing system is operating correctly (e.g. when a filter is taken out of
service for washing)
• whether the filter outlet valve is modulating smoothly enough
• whether more polyelectrolyte is needed to cope with short periods of high flow
• whether it happens at the same time as something else (e.g. when pump settings or valves
are altered or when the washwater is returned).
For further reading, try USEPA (1999). Section 4.2 deals with System Evaluation and Plant
Optimisation, Section 5 deals with Individual Filter Self Assessment, and Section 6 with
Comprehensive Performance Evaluation.
13.8 SECOND STAGE FILTRATION

Secondary filtration is a process whereby an entirely separate rapid gravity filter box or vessel is
used as a second filtration stage following a first stage rapid gravity filter (i.e. two separate rapid
gravity filters are used in series), or other treatment process that is normally considered complete.
Coagulation usually takes place before the first stage filter, which may contain a coarse medium,
followed by the secondary filtration stage that is typically a conventional dual or multimedia filter.
Additional coagulants and/or filter aids (polyelectrolytes), or oxidants can be added between the
first and second stages.
Some reasons for using two-stage filtration include:

• following direct filtration if the raw water quality is variable
• where the treatment plant occasionally experiences periods of stress, e.g.:
o when very cold winter water causes aluminium flocs to form slowly
o or during high summer flows
• to remove iron and manganese after an oxidation stage
• to remove grit from poor quality lime. At this elevated pH, more iron and manganese may
be removed too
• to remove further organic matter, including any disinfection by-products, by using
biologically activated carbon (BAC) filters.
Secondary filtration can also be used to earn an extra 0.5 log credit for protozoal compliance, refer
DWSNZ, section 5.6. The secondary stage filters must involve the use of a rapid sand, dual media,
granular activated carbon, or other fine grain media unit process applied in a separate stage
following rapid sand or dual media filtration. To qualify, a continuous chemical coagulation
process must be in operation upstream of the first filters. One of the monitoring requirements is that
the turbidity of the water leaving the secondary filters must not exceed 0.15 NTU for more than 5%
of the time. See also USEPA (2003).
REFERENCES
AWWA (2000). Operational Control of Coagulation and Filtration Processes. Manual M37, 2nd
Edition.
Dugan, N., K. Fox, J. Owens, and R. Miltner (2001). Controlling Cryptosporidium oocysts using
conventional treatment. J. AWWA. 93 (12), pp 64–76.
Hill T. and A. Langdon (1991). Porous ceramic dual media filtration. Water & Wastes in New
Zealand, issue 66, July, pp. 19-20, 22.
Kawamura S. (2000). Integrated Design and Operation of Water Treatment Facilities. 2nd Edition,
New York: John Wiley and Sons.
The NZ Ministry of Health’s Guides for drinking-water supplies can be accessed as Word
documents on the Ministry of Health website: http://www.moh.govt.nz/water then select
publications and Public Health Risk Management Plans.
MoH Public Health Risk Management Plan Guide PHRMP Ref. P5.1. Treatment Processes –
Coagulation/Flocculation/Sedimentation. Ministry of Health, Wellington.
Dissolved Air Flotation. Ministry of Health, Wellington.
Direct Filtration. Ministry of Health, Wellington.
MoH Public Health Risk Management Plan Guide PHRMP Ref. P6.1. Treatment Processes – Rapid
Sand Filtration. Ministry of Health, Wellington.
MoH Public Health Risk Management Plan Guide PHRMP Ref. P8.1. Treatment Processes – pH
Adjustment. Ministry of Health, Wellington.
MoH Public Health Risk Management Plan Guide PHRMP Ref. P11. Treatment Processes – Plant
Construction and Operation. Ministry of Health, Wellington.
MoH (2005). Drinking-water Standards for New Zealand 2005. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
NZWWA (1997). Standard for the Supply of Aluminium Sulphate for Use in Water Treatment,
second edition. New Zealand Water and Wastes Association.
NZWWA (1999). Standard for the Supply of Polyacrylamides for Use in Drinking-water
Treatment, ISBN 1-877134-24-4. New Zealand Water and Wastes Association.
NZWWA (1999). Standard for the Supply of Polydadmac for Use in Drinking-water Treatment,
ISBN 1-877134-25-2. New Zealand Water and Wastes Association.
NZWWA (1999). Standard for the Supply of Epi-Dma Polyamines for Use in Drinking-water
Treatment, ISBN 1-877134-26-0. New Zealand Water and Wastes Association.
Ogilvie D. (1998). Streaming Current Detection. Water & Wastes in NZ, issue 101, (July), pp 32,
34-35.
Srinivasan P. T., T. Viraraghavan and K. S. Subramanian (1999). Aluminium in drinking water: An

overview. Water SA, 25, No. 1, Jan, pp 47-55.
USEPA (2003). Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule. Toolbox Guidance
Manual. Draft June 2003. . EPA 815-D-03-009.
www.epa.gov/safewater/ltz/pdfs/guide_lt2_toolbox.pdf
USEPA (1999). Report EPA 815-R-99-010 “Guidance Manual for Compliance with the Interim
Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule: Turbidity Provisions”.
US Partnership for Safe Water Guidelines for Phase IV “Excellence in Water Treatment”. See
information on this subject at:
http://www.awwa.org/science/partnership/Overview/O06HOW_IT_WORKS.CFM
WHO (2004). Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality 2004 (3rd Ed.). Volume 1:
Recommendations. Geneva: World Health Organisation. Also available to download at:
www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/gdwq3/en/print.html

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CHAPTER 13

Figure 13.1: Conventional coagulation with sedimentation and filtration

13.2 COAGULATION PROCESS

Conventional treatment (coagulation, sedimentation and sand filtration), as illustrated in Figure

Figure 13.1: Conventional coagulation, sedimentation and filtration

Figure 13.2: Direct filtration

13.3 COAGULANTS AND FLOCCULANTS

In addition to aluminium and iron-based (inorganic) coagulants, organic chemicals known as

Polyelectrolyte coagulants such as polyamines, polyacrylamides, and polyDADMACs are being

13.3.4 HEALTH EFFECTS

13.4 COAGULATION AND FLOCCULATION

13.4.2 JAR TESTING

13.4.3 PERFORMANCE AND CONTROL

Being a sensitive, physico-chemical process, coagulation/flocculation is most reliable when raw

Underdosing can cause poor removal of colour, turbidity and micro-organisms.

13.5 CLARIFICATION AND SEDIMENTATION

13.5.2 CLARIFIER TYPES

Figure 13.3: Lamella plates

Buoyant Media Clarifiers

Figure 13.4: Adsorption clarifier

Dissolved Air Flotation

Figure 13.5: Dissolved air flotation (DAF)

Pulsed blanket clarifiers

Figure 13.6: Actiflo process

13.5.3 OPTIMISATION AND PERFORMANCE ISSUES

13.6 TWO-STAGE LIME SOFTENING

13.7 RAPID GRAVITY FILTRATION

Figure 13.7: Rapid gravity filter

13.7.2 TURBIDITY MONITORING

13.7.3 FILTER OPERATION

13.7.4 OPTIMISATION OF THE FILTRATION PROCESS

• failed or blocked backwash nozzles or underdrain system. Reduces backwashing flows.

If the turbidity readings tend to spike the following should be checked:

13.8 SECOND STAGE FILTRATION

Some reasons for using two-stage filtration include:

Srinivasan P. T., T. Viraraghavan and K. S. Subramanian (1999). Aluminium in drinking water: An

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