Water Treatment Basics

Minnesota Environmental Health Association Annual Conference 2012

Compliance
Each

system is unique and has needs One-size does not fit all Compliance options

Connect to city water Blending New well Treatment

Point

of Entry Point of Use

Select the Best System

Perform

a complete water analysis Talk to other systems with similar issues Use guidance materials from EPA Consult with the MDH Consult with organizations

Water Quality Association MN Water Well Association American Water Works Association MN Rural Water Association

Treatment Considerations

Water chemistry

pH, anions, cations, sulfate, nitrate, hardness, metals, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Operating expenses chemicals, power, maintenance Capital Cost Purchase, lease, rent Solids and Liquids

Lifecycle cost

Waste considerations

Operator skill and availability Space considerations Warranty

Selection of a Contractor/Vendor
Obtain

at least 2 bids/quotes from qualified contractors Ask for references on similar projects where work has been performed Contact 2 or more of these systems and ask the following:

Selection of a Contractor/Vendor Continued

Did

the contractor perform as expected? Was the work done on time? Was the work done within the price agreed upon? Would you hire the contractor again?

Contractor and System Owner Relationship

Hire

a contractor with experience in the type of work to be performed Discuss with contractor the requirements of the work (i.e. plan review process) Set a timeline for work completion Require the contractor to provide copies of equipment specifications, manuals, parts lists, etc.

Plan Review
Plan

review and approval is required PRIOR to making any changes to the water system treatment or plumbing

Minnesota Department of Health Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry

Chlorination
Chlorine

is widely used as:

Disinfectant Oxidant
Examples

Iron Arsenic

Chlorine Basics

Factors Influencing Disinfection

pH Temperature Turbidity Organic Matter Inorganic Matter Reducing Agents (iron, manganese) Microorganisms Point of Application (need adequate contact time)

Chlorine Basics
Chlorine

Residual

Minimum free chlorine residual at distant points in the distribution system shall be 0.2 0.5 ppm. Combined chlorine residual shall be kept at 1.0 2.0 ppm at distant points in the distribution system. Total chlorine residual is the sum of the free and combined chlorine residuals

Chlorine Basics Chlorine Gas

Chlorine

Gas

Greenish-yellow in color 2 times heavier than air Typically sold in 150 pound cylinders Corrosive especially to metal

Source: www.amazingrust.com/Experiments/how_to/Cl2.html 2/19/2010

Chlorine Gas

Chlorine Gas

Chlorine Basics - Hypochlorite

Calcium

Hypochlorite

Sodium

Hypochlorite

Dry or tablet form 65-70% available chlorine The same residuals as with gas chlorine

Liquid form 5-15% available chlorine The same residuals as with gas chlorine

Source: www.gfct-chemical.com/en/productasp 2/19/2010

Source: www.maxriggin.com/can-bleach-make-you-faster 2/19/2010

Chlorine Basics Sodium Hypochlorite

Filtration
Removal

of suspended solids

Natural filtration of groundwater as the water percolates through soil Treatment plant filtration for removal of iron and manganese in groundwater Treatment plant filtration for surface water for removal of suspended materials

Filtration Process

Source: Water Treatment, Second Edition, American Water Works Association, page 112, 1995.

Filtration
Common

media include:

Sand Anthracite coal Granular activated carbon Garnet sand Combination of above

Filtration
Sediment/particulate

filters trap particles (sand, rust) in a porous material while allowing water and dissolved substances to pass through Typically point of entry Often used as pretreatment Require maintenance to prevent bacterial growth

Granular Activated Carbon

Carbon

material in these devices reduces organic compounds (cause taste and odor problems) Point of entry or Point of use Can increase bacterial growth by providing nutrients Have a limited capacity Frequent replacement of media or cartridge

Filtration Iron and Manganese

First

step Oxidize the iron and/or iron and manganese

Chlorine Potassium permanganate (typically used when iron and manganese present) Air

Second

step Filter to remove the precipitated material

Filtration
Approaches

Force

to Filtration

Gravity Filters
filter More common in municipal systems of gravity moves the water through the

Pressure Filters
Applied

water pressure forces the water through the filter More common in smaller water systems

Gravity Filters

Large gravity filters during the backwash cycle

Pressure Filters

Iron and Manganese Sequestration

Only

effective for groundwater with relatively low levels of dissolved iron and manganese and no dissolved oxygen Polyphosphates or sodium silicates are added before water is exposed to air or disinfectants Keeps iron and manganese in the soluble form in the finished water

Ion Exchange
Removes

water Exchanges positively charged ions (cations) or negatively charged ions (anions) in water

contaminants from drinking

Cation Exchange
Water

Softeners

Remove calcium and magnesium May remove some dissolved iron

Barium

and Radium

Requires longer treatment time for removal

Ion Exchange Water Softener

Ion Exchange Water Softener

Components

and Purpose

Tank
Water

pressurized vessel that holds resin in place

Head
Determines

frequency of backwash Controls flow of water during service, backwash, brine cycle, brine refill and rinse cycle

Distributor and Riser

Provides

water

return route to the head for the treated

Ion Exchange Water Softener

Components

and Purpose

Resin
Provides

sites for ion exchange

Underbed Gravel
Supports

media Provides a collection area for the treated water

Brine Tank
Stores

salt used to regenerate the media

Ion Exchange Water Softener

Operation

Hard water passes through resin bed

Resin is periodically regenerated with sodium ions from the brine tank Periodic backwashing of resin removes solids that have become attached

Resin exchanges sodium ions for calcium and magnesium ions

Ion Exchange Water Softener

Regeneration Process

Fill: Water flows into the brine tank. Brining: Salt solution travels from the brine tank to the resin tank. Brine Rinse: Clean water flows through the resin tank causing the hardness minerals and brine to be flushed from the resin tank. Backwash: Water flows up through the resin tank at a fast rate to flush out iron minerals. Fast Rinse: Backwash is followed by a fast flow of water down through the resin tank.

Ion Exchange Water Softener

Backwash

water must be disposed of properly!

Air Gap

Ion Exchange Water Softener

Maintenance

Brine tank should have a tight fitting, overlapping cover in place at all times (except during servicing) Brine tank must have salt in it at all times

Keep salt level in the tank at least half full at all times

Disinfect brine tank with a weak chlorine bleach solution once a year

cup bleach to brine tank and regenerate unit (for standard household size water softener)

Store softener salt off the floor

Troubleshooting

The salt doesnt dissolve in the brine tank, what should you do?
Inspect

the salt at water level for a solid mass (bridge).

Carefully break up mass and allow salt to drop in the water below.

Check

for fine mushy salt is at bottom of tank (mushing).

Remove the good pellets, scoop out the mushed salt and reload the tank with the appropriate salt pellets.

Check

the water level in the tank. The float may not be working properly if the water level is too low.

Water Softener Bridging WARNING!!! Dont use a dirty broom handle!!

Troubleshooting

I put softener salt in the softener but the water isnt soft. Whats going on?
Salt

had too little residence time (salt poured in tank and the softener regenerated immediately) Softener malfunction Salt bridging or mushing which reduces or eliminates brine formation Nozzle and venturi are dirty

Cation Exchange Softener with Granular Ferric Oxide (GFO) Filter

Arsenic Removal

Raw Water 29 ppb Population 100 Softener removes minimal arsenic Softener regenerates automatically (timer) GFO filter backwashes automatically (timer) Unknown how long GFO media will last $4000 installation of GFO filter Plumbing changed

Anion Exchange
Looks

like a water softener Uses a different resin than a water softener Several different types of anion exchange resins designed to remove specific contaminants

Nitrate-selective resin to reduce nitrates Sulfate-selective resin to reduce arsenic

Anion Exchange Arsenic Removal

Raw Water 14 ppb Population 75 Regenerates automatically $18,000 6-9 months to optimize Assistance from vendor on salt addition System has failed due to improper maintenance

Anion Exchange Nitrate Removal

Transient

system bar with limited food service Softener before anion exchange ARRA Funding

Adsorption
Involves

the adhesion of the contaminants to an adsorbent material

Arsenic Removal Adsorptive Media (1)

Raw

water 14ppb Unincorporated community now owned by township Population 27 Total cost of treatment unit, piping, septic system and addition to existing well house was $85,000 Grant for $80,000

Arsenic Removal Adsorptive Media Pilot Study (2)

Arsenic Removal Adsorptive Media (3)

Arsenic Removal Adsorptive Media (4)

Automatic backwash when flow limit reached Media projected to last 10 or more years The better the softener performance the longer the media will last

Membranes

Water is forced through a porous membrane under pressure while suspended solids, larger molecules, or ions are held back or rejected Four general membrane processes that operate by applying pressure

Microfiltration (pore size average 0.45 microns) Ultrafiltration (pore size below 0.1 micron) Nanofiltration Reverse osmosis

Reverse Osmosis
Uses

a membrane with tiny pores to remove inorganic chemicals Uses pressure to force water through the membrane

Reverse Osmosis
Typically

installed as Point of Use May require softening before unit to extend life Generates a large waste water stream Requires air gap for waste stream (typically built into the treatment unit)

Reverse Osmosis
1-Sediment

Filter (dirt, rust, sand) 2-GAC Filter (chlorine, organics) 3-Sediment Filter 4-Reverse Osmosis Membrane 5-Post Carbon Filter (improves taste)
Source: Cixi Waterhoh Water Filtration, Inc., http://www.cnwaterfilter.com/domestic_reverse_osmosis_system.htm, Acquired 4/20/12

Reverse Osmosis
Maintenance

Replace filters Disinfect filter housing and storage tank

Issues

with reverse osmosis units

Plugging of membrane which reduces efficiency Bacteriological growth

Distillation

Removes contaminants by boiling water and then condensing the steam Effective at killing all microorganisms Small unit that produces small amounts of treated water with a great deal of power

Source: www.cynber-nook.com, Acquired 4/23/12

Corrosion Control
Addition

of a chemical that provides a protective layer in the plumbing/distribution system

Polyphosphate* Ortho-phosphate* Sodium Silicate

* Continuous chlorination required as phosphate can be a food source for bacteria

Corrosion Control
Reasons

corrosion (and scaling) are controlled:

Protect public health Improve water quality Extend the life of the plumbing equipment Meet federal and state regulations