Rapid Sand Filtration

Rapid Sand Filtration
Marco Bruni, seecon international gmbh
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Disclaimer
The contents of the SSWM Toolbox reflect the opinions of the respective authors and not necessarily the official opinion of the funding or
supporting partner organisations.
Depending on the initial situations and respective local circumstances, there is no guarantee that single measures described in the toolbox
will make the local water and sanitation system more sustainable. The main aim of the SSWM Toolbox is to be a reference tool to provide
ideas for improving the local water and sanitation situation in a sustainable manner. Results depend largely on the respective situation and
the implementation and combination of the measures described. An in-depth analysis of respective advantages and disadvantages and the
suitability of the measure is necessary in every single case. We do not assume any responsibility for and make no warranty with respect to
the results that may be obtained from the use of the information provided.
Contents
1. Concept
2. How Rapid Sand Filtration Can Optimise SSWM
3. Design Principles
4. Treatment Efficiency and Health Aspects
5. Construction and Operation & Maintenance
6. Applicability
7. Advantages and Disadvantages
8. References
1. Concept
Water Purification
Communities
Households
Household level
Semicentralised level
Water supply
systems in
densely
populated urban
areas
Centralised
level
1. Concept
Water Purification
Rapid sand filtration is a purely physical drinking water purification

method on a centralised (or semi-centralised) level
Household level
Semicentralised level
Centralised
level
1. Concept
Water Purification through Rapid Sand Filtration
Working Principle
After being pre-treated (coagulation-flocculation), freshwater flows
through a sand- and gravel bed. Hereby, particles are removed
through a physical filter process. Final disinfection.
Pre-Treatment
CoagulationFlocculation
Post-Treatment
Rapid Sand
Filtration
Chlorination
Rapid sand filtration is an integral part of a particular water

treatment procedure and cannot produce drinking-water
without precedent and subsequent treatment steps.
1. Concept
Water Purification through Rapid Sand Filtration
Processes are
interlinked
Working Principle
After being pre-treated (coagulation-flocculation), freshwater flows
through a sand- and gravel bed. Hereby, particles are removed
through a physical filter process. Final disinfection.
Pre-Treatment
Post-Treatment
Rapid Sand
Filtration
Chlorination
Rapid sand filtration is an integral part of a particular water

treatment procedure and cannot produce drinking-water
without precedent and subsequent treatment steps.

Characteristics of Urbanised Areas
Large
water
demand
High
Land
Prices
Source:
http://headlinenewsstories.com/wp-content/upl
oads/2010/06/india.jpg
[Accessed: 21.02.2012]
Source:
http://headlinenewsstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2010
/06/india.jpg
[Accessed: 21.02.2012]
High
population
density
Limited
Space

Water Purification in Urban Areas
Source:
http://www.govisitcostarica.com/images/p
hotos/full-cano-negro-brown-river.jpg
[Accessed: 21.02.2012]
Source:
http://headlinenewsstories.com/wp-content/upl
oads/2010/06/india.jpg
Source:
http://sinkholes1.com/wp-content/uploads/2011
/07/Old-Sink.jpg
[Accessed: 21.02.2012]
[Accessed: 21.02.2012]
Source:
/06/india.jpg
[Accessed: 21.02.2012]
?
?
9

Water Purification in Urban Areas
Source:
http://www.govisitcostarica.com/images/p
hotos/full-cano-negro-brown-river.jpg
[Accessed: 21.02.2012]
Source:
http://sinkholes1.com/wp-content/uploads/2011
/07/Old-Sink.jpg
[Accessed: 21.02.2012]
Source:
/06/india.jpg
[Accessed: 21.02.2012]
Pre-Treatment
Post-Treatment
Rapid Sand
Filtration
Chlorination
10
Types of Rapid Sand Filters 1/2
1. Open Rapid Sand Filters (Gravity Filter)
Source: TWT (n.y.)
Source:
http://img1.tradeget.com/suffuss/L191X41Q1rapidgravityfiltratio
nplant.jpg
[Accessed: 21.02.2012]
11
Types of Rapid Sand Filters 2/2
2. Closed Rapid Sand Filters (Pressure Filter)
Source: WHO (1996)
Source:
http://i01.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/532/961/244/1272335696406
_hz_myalibaba_web2_545.JPG
[Accessed: 22.02.2012]
12
4. Treatment Efficiency and Health Aspects

Efficiency versus Drinking-water Quality
Performance
4000 12000 litres per hour per m2 of surface
(slow sand filter: 100 - 300 litres)
High rate, small land requirements
Health Aspects
Source:
http://www.cs.iupui.edu/~momeredi/n399/bliss/images/intro
_cheetah.jpg
[Accessed: 21.02.2012]
?
Typical treatment performance of rapid sand filters if freshwater has been pre-treated with coagulationAdapted
from: BRIKKE & BREDERO (2003), DEBOCH & FARIS (1999), SDWF (n.y.) and WHO (n.y.)
flocculation
Rapid sand filtration provides safe drinking-water only in combination with

pre- and post-treatment measures
13

Construction
Supervision of a competent engineer and skilled workers
Many technical installations required
Construction Material
Source: http://www.schoolbuddy.de/underConstruction.gif
[Accessed: 21.02.2012]
Pumps
(Reinforced-) concrete
Pipes
Valves
Sand, Gravel
Tools
NOTE: Construction of pre- and post-treatment facilities equally require

complex working steps, expensive material and skilled workers.
14

O&M of a Rapid Sand Filter
Cleaning of the filter-bed (backwashing) every 24 72 hours
Backwashing water and sludge often toxic Treatment required
Skilled caretaker required

Source:
http://water.me.vccs.edu/concepts/ba
ckwash.jpg
[Accessed: 21.02.2012]
Backwashing
Water flow is reversed

Filter-bed fluidised
Particles get washed out
Source:
http://sos-arsenic.net/english/projectreport_images/image028.jp
g
[Accessed: 21.02.2012]
Arsenic sludge from backwashing

disposed untreated into Kumar
River in Bangladesh
15

O&M of Pre- and Post-Treatment Facilities
Highly skilled workers required for control and dosage of
coagulants/ flocculats and disinfection with chlorine
Source: http://www.thewatertreatments.com/wpcontent/uploads/2009/01/waste-water-treatmentclariflocculator.jpg [Accessed: 21.02.201]
Large flocculation tank in operation

16
6. Applicability
Rapid Sand Filtration a rather high-tech Solution
Prerequisites
Availability of pre- and post-treatment facilities and material (e.g.
chemicals for coagulation-flocculation, chlorine, water quality
test-kits)
Skilled supervision (both for construction and operation)
Electricity
Treatment facilities for backwashing water and sludge available
Main areas
Exclusively where land is a limiting factor and electricity, spare
parts and skilled labour is available
17
7. Advantages and Drawbacks

Rapid Sand Filtration Put in a Nutshell
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Not effective in removing
Very effective in removing
bacteria, viruses, protozoa,
turbidity / large particles (<0.1fluoride, arsenic, salts, odour
1 NTU)
and organic matter (unless
High filter rate (4000 12000
pre- and post-treated)
litres per hour per m2)
High investment and
Small land requirements
operational costs
No limitation regarding initial
Frequent cleaning required
turbidity level
(every 24-72h)
Cleaning time (backwashing)
Skilled supervision essential
only takes several minutes
Highly energy demanding
Treatment of backwashing
water and sludge necessary
18
8. References
BRIKKE, F.; BREDERO, M. (2003): Linking Technology Choice with Operation and Maintenance in the Context of Community Water
Supply and Sanitation. Geneva: World Health Organization (WHO). URL:
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/hygiene/om/linkingintro.pdf [Accessed: 06.02.3012].
DEBOCH, B.; FARRIS, K. (1999): Evaluation on the Efficiency of Rapid Sand Filtration. Addis Abada: 25 th WECD Conference.
SDWF (n.y.): Conventional Water Treatment: Coagulation and Filtration. Saskatoon: Safe Drinking Water Foundation (SDWF). URL:
http://www.safewater.org/PDFS/knowthefacts/conventionalwaterfiltration.pdf [Accessed: 15.02.2011].
SDWF (n.y.): Conventional Water Treatment: Coagulation and Filtration. Saskatoon: Safe Drinking Water Foundation (SDWF). URL:
http://www.safewater.org/PDFS/knowthefacts/conventionalwaterfiltration.pdf [Accessed: 15.02.2011].
TWT (n.y.): Components of an Open Rapid Sand Filter. Unknown Location: The Water Treatments (TWT). URL:
http://www.thewatertreatments.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/components-rapid-sand-filters5.jpg [Accessed: 21.02.2012].
WHO (n.y.): Chapter 12: Water Treatment. In: WHO: Seminar Pack for Drinking-water Quality, Water Sanitation and Health (WSH).
Geneva: World Health Organization (WHO). URL: http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/S12.pdf [Accessed:
07.02.2012].
WHO (1996): Rapid Sand Filtration. (= Fact Sheets on Environmental Sanitation, No. 2.14). Geneva: World Health Organization
(WHO) URL: http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/hygiene/emergencies/fs2_14.pdf [Accessed: 15.02.2012].
19
Linking up Sustainable Sanitation,

Water Management & Agriculture
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initiative
supported by:
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by:
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Marco Bruni, seecon international gmbh