Chemical Cleaning of Water Filter Media WaterMix Pete Wiederhold Bob Mattey Utility Service Company Inc.
What is WaterMix? WaterMix is a comprehensive patent pending process for potable water systems that combines unique technologies with professional services that result in cleaner water
WaterMix Objective Provide those responsible for potable water systems with a new set of tools to manage water quality and assets Maximize water plant efficiency Remove organics & the precursors to DBP s Eliminate stratification; minimize nitrification GASB 34 asset management Reduce risk
Home WaterMix is a Comprehensive Program Water Treatment Plant Distribution Tank Treatment Basin Clarifier Filter Clearwell Distribution Line Patented cleaning of - filter media - vessels/walls/troughs - air strippers - aerators Patented bio film removal Patented active mixing (24/7/365 elimination of temp. stratification) Tank asset management
Home WaterMix is a Comprehensive Program Chlorine Demand and DBP Formation; Cleaning of Vessels Water Treatment Plant Distribution Tank (all types) Treatment Basin Clarifier Filter Clearwell Distribution Line DBP s ppm Residual Chlorine time Once formed, there s no way to reduce DBP s or nitrification (chloramine systems). There cannot be a weak link in the system or the approach to managing water quality
The WaterMix Program Comprehensive Mix of Professional Services Integrated program for managing water quality and the distribution tank (physical asset) Water Plant Regular cleaning of filters, media, aerators, air strippers, clearwells Distribution Tanks Regular cleaning sediment and biofilm removal NSF 61 Active Mixing system (24/7/365) Inspections Maintenance of coatings, structural, sanitary, safety, security conditions Provided in a comprehensive maintenance program
Filter Media: Cleaning vs. Replacement
Filter Media Core Sampling
The Impact of Fouled Filter Media on Water Plant Operations Fouled Media Growth in media volume leads to media losses during backwash Encapsulation of media leads to increased pores (channeling); decreased filter efficiency Density differences that keep media separated are reduced causing media to mix and lose efficiency Increased frequency of backwashes reduced plant capacity Increased disinfectant demand Increased DBP s Poorer water quality Media losses during backwash
Water Plant: Details of Service Water Quality Management NSF 60 certified Off-line, on-site application Typically requires only 24 hours Removes mineral and organic deposits, lime scale and biofilm from filter media, vessel walls, under drains, and troughs in Gravity filters, pressure filters and softeners Cleans air stripping towers Patented products
Filter Tank Cleaning Before & After Photos
Anthracite, Untreated Anthracite, Treated
Greensand, Untreated Greensand, Treated
Filter Cleaning Video
Observed Filter Media Cleaning Benefits Reduced head loss Longer filter runs Improved Fe and Mn retention Reduced turbidity Restoration of media stratification Extended media lifetime Increased filter capacity Unclogging of direct-media-support type underdrains
Water Mix Case Study Village of Chauncey, Ohio 3 pressure Filters 25 years filters in service. Village backwashed filters twice per day. Media loss during backwash. Increased Chlorine demand. Increased back pressure.
Case Study Cont. Core samples taken and lab report generated. Recommended two treatments per filter. After cleaning backwash frequency reduced to once every 7-8 days. Reduced back pressure. Reduced chlorine usage. Recommended schedule of cleaning every 3 years to maintain maximum filter efficiency.
Clearwell Bio-Film Removal Before and After Photos
Clearwell Bio-Film Removal Before and After Photos
Biofilm Removal in Storage Tank
Utility Service Company Inc. Full service Water Storage Tank Maintenance since 1963. Water Filter Media testing and chemical cleaning. Bio-film cleaning from water storage tanks. Active mixing systems for water storage tanks. Water Tank inspection and repair services Visual, Washout, or Robotic (ROV).
Simultaneous Compliance Dilemma: The Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR, 1989) requires to maintain a detectable disinfectant residual (free chlorine, chloramines, chlorine dioxide) throughout the distribution system = add more chlorine. The Disinfectant/Disinfection Byproduct Rules (D/DBP Rules) limit disinfectant residuals and disinfection byproducts (TTHM, HAA5) = add less chlorine. How to ensure a sufficient chlorine residual without exceeding DBP levels?
Stage 2 D/DBP Rule: Same TTHM and HAA5 limits as Stage 1, but reporting as locational running annual average (LRAA) instead of running annual average (RAA). Specifies sampling locations based on Initial Distribution System Evaluation (IDSE) Enforced by USEPA, not states Many systems that can comply at RAA (Stage 1) reporting will fall out of compliance at LRAA (Stage 2) reporting
BURNING QUESTIONS?