MODULE-2

WATER TREATMENT
 WATER TREATMENT OBJCTIVES

• Some of the main objectives of the water

treatment process are:
1. To reduce the impurities to a certain level that
does not cause harm to human health.
2. To reduce the objectionable color, odor,
turbidity, and hardness.
3. To make water safe for drinking.
4. To eliminate the corrosive nature of water
affecting the pipe.
UNIT FLOW DIAGRAM OFWATER
TREATMENT PLANT
 Functions of each unit
1. Intake well
The raw water admitted from the source, in these wells, through the
inlet opening having screen to separate the floating material.

2. Screen
Screens are used to remove the floating, suspended material.

3. Aerators
To remove the gases from the water, the raw water exposed to the air.

4. Coagulant tank
• It is Used to add the coagulant into the water.(aluminum sulfate (alum),
ferric sulfate, ferric chloride, and sodium aluminate. )
5. Flash mixer
In this unit, added coagulators are properly mixed.

6. Clari Floccurator
In this unit two process are done i.e. Flocculation and sedimentation.
Flocculation Floc (small particles are clumped together during the
flocculation process) are formed and in sedimentation Floc get settled down.
(aluminum sulfate (alum), iron salts, or organic polymers,)

7. Filter beds
It helps to remove the fine and colloidal matter from the water.

8. Disinfection
It helps to kill microorganisms and also to destroy organic impurities. This is
important process for water treatment.

9. Distribution System
Treated water convey to household.
AERATION PROCESS LIMITATIONS
AND TYPES
• The process of exposing large surface of water
to the atmospheric air is called aeration.
• Its main purpose is to absorb more oxygen and
let out unpleasant odours and gases and
oxidise Fe and Mn in water.
 Objectives of Aeration:
• To increase oxygen contents in water for
imparting freshness.
• To expel volatile substances and gases like
H2S, CO2 causing bad taste and odour.
• To oxidise iron and manganese so that these
can be precipitated and removed.
• To destroy bacteria to some extent, by
agitation of water during aeration.
 Methods of Aerations
• 1.By using Fountains:
• Spray Nozzles Water is discharged under the effect of fountain
action, in the form of fine spray.
• Spraying results in the formation of extremely minute droplets
of water.
• This increases its surface area of contact with air. Spray nozzles
are located in a pool of water. They involve considerable loss of
head.
• The pressure required to operate spray nozzles is about 0.7 to
1.4 kg/cm2.
• This removes CO2 and H2S to the extent of 90%. Spray
nozzles may be of fixed type or movable type as shown in the
Fig.
 2. Gravity fall aerators or Cascade Aerators :

• They are the simplest free fall aerators. A simplest

cascade consists of a series of 3 or 4 steps, either
circular or straight type as shown in Fig.

• Water is allowed to fall through a height of 1 to 3

metres. These may be in the open air or under shelter.
 Limitations of Aeration
• It is inefficient to remove or reduce tastes and odours
caused by
(a) Non-volatile substances like oils of algae.
(b) Chemicals discharged in industrial wastes.
• Due to over oxygenation, water becomes corrosive and
de-aeration may be required.
• Aeration is economical only in warmer climate months.
• Possibility of air-borne contamination in water.
• Iron and Manganese can be precipitated by aeration only
when organic matter is absent
 SEDIMENTATION:
• A sedimentation tank is structure in which
wastewater is filled and stored for some time
to remove the suspended particles present in
the water.
• These particles may settle at the bottom of the
tank and are removed by using scrapers. If the
suspended particles have low specific gravity
than water, they settle at the top of the tank.
 Types of Sedimentation Tanks:
• Depending upon various factors sedimentation
tanks are classified as follows.
1. Based on methods of operation
a. Fill and draw type tank
b. Continuous flow type tank
2. Based on shape
a. Circular tank
b. Rectangular tank
c. Hopper bottom tank
3. Based on location
a. Primary tank
b. Secondary tank
 Based on methods of operation
a. Fill and draw type tank
• In case of fill and draw type sedimentation
tank, water from inlet is stored for some time.
The time may be 24 hours.
• In that time, the suspended particles are settled
at the bottom of the tank. After 24 hours, the
water is discharged through outlet.
• Then settled particle are removed. This removal
action requires 6-12 hours. So, one complete
action of sedimentation requires 30-40 hours in
case of fill and draw type sedimentation tank.
 b. Continuous Flow Type Sedimentation
Tank
• In this case, water is not allowed to rest. Flow
always takes place but with a very small velocity.
• During this flow, suspended particles are settle at
the bottom of the tank. The flow may be either in
horizontal direction or vertical direction.
 2. BASED ON SHAPE
a. Circular Tank
• Circular Tank Circular sedimentation tanks are preferred
for continuous vertical flow type sedimentation tanks.
• In this case influent is sent through central pipe of the
tank and radial flow takes place.
• Mechanical sludge scrappers are provided to collect the
sludge and collected sludge is carried through sludge
pipe provided at the bottom.
• But circular tanks are uneconomical as compared to
rectangular tanks but they have high clarification
efficiency.
 b. Rectangular Tank
• Rectangular sedimentation tanks are mostly
preferred sedimentation tanks and are used
widely.
• The flow takes place in horizontal direction
that is length wise in rectangular tanks.
Sometimes baffle walls are provided for
rectangular tank to prevent short circuiting.
• Maintenance costs are low in case of
rectangular sedimentation tanks. They are also
suitable for large capacity plants.
 c. Hopper Bottom Tank
• In case of hopper bottom tank, a deflector box
is located at the top which deflects the influent
coming from central pipe to downwards.
• Sludge is collected at the bottom and it is
disposed through sludge pump.
 BASED ON LOCATION:
a. Primary Sedimentation Tank
• Primary sedimentation tank is a normal
sedimentation tank in which water is stored at
rest for some time and sludge collected at
bottom and oily matter collected at top are
removed.
• After primary sedimentation process the
wastewater is discharged into aerobic filter
where activated sludge process take place.
 b. Secondary Sedimentation

• After activated sludge process the wastewater

enters secondary sedimentation tank in which
suspended particles contains microbes are
removed and are reflected towards aerobic
filter to maintain high microbe concentration
in aerobic filter
 COAGULATION AND FLOCCULATION:
• Coagulation-flocculation is a chemical water treatment technique
typically applied prior to sedimentation and filtration (e.g. rapid sand
filtration) to enhance the ability of a treatment process to remove
particles.

• Coagulation is a process used to neutralize charges and form a

gelatinous mass to trap (or bridge) particles thus forming a mass
large enough to settle or be trapped in the filter.

• Flocculation is gentle stirring or agitation to encourage the particles

thus formed to agglomerate(collect) into masses large enough to
settle or be filtered from solution
Advantages
1. Simplicity and cost-effectiveness
2. Separates many kind of particles from water
3. Enhances filtration process
4. Uses abundant and low cost chemicals
Disadvantages
2. Input of chemicals required
2. Qualified personnel required for design (e.g.
construction of chambers and dosage of chemicals)
and system maintenance
3. Transfer of toxic compounds into solid phase and
formation of sludge that has to be treated
subsequently 4. Relatively time consuming process
 COAGULATION:
• Coagulants with charges opposite to those of the suspended solids
are added to the water to neutralise the negative charges on
dispersed non-settable solids such as clay and organic substances.
• Once the charge is neutralised, the small-suspended particles are
capable of sticking together. The slightly larger particles formed
through this process are called microflocs and are still too small to
be visible to the naked eye.
• A high-energy, rapid-mix to properly disperse the coagulant and
promote particle collisions is needed to achieve good coagulation
and formation of the microflocs.
• Over-mixing does not affect coagulation, but insufficient mixing
will leave this step incomplete. Proper contact time in the rapid-mix
chamber is typically 1 to 3 minutes.
 FLOCCULATION:
Flocculation is a water treatment process that brings together small particles
in water to form larger clumps called flocs. These flocs are then easier to
separate from the water, making the treatment process more effective.
Here are some steps in the flocculation process:
1. Add flocculants
Chemicals like aluminum sulfate (alum), iron salts, and organic polymers
are added to the water to neutralize the electrical charges that keep
particles apart.
2. Mix
The solution is gently mixed to bring particles into contact with each other.
3. Bond
The flocculants create a bond between the particles.
4. Settle
The flocs settle to the bottom of the tank or are filtered out of the water.
Design contact times for flocculation range from 15 or 20 minutes to an
hour or more.
 JAR TEST
• A jar test is a laboratory procedure that simulates the
coagulation and flocculation process in water
treatment. The test involves adding different amounts
of chemicals to water samples in jars, stirring, and
observing how the solids settle.
• The goal is to determine the minimum amount of
chemicals needed to achieve the desired water
quality.
Steps for performing a jar test:
• Record water properties: Before starting, record the water's pH, turbidity,
alkalinity, and temperature.
• Prepare a stock solution: Dissolve a known amount of alum in distilled
water. Each milliliter of the stock solution will equal a certain amount of
milligrams per liter (ppm) when added to the water.
• Add chemicals and stir: Add a coagulant solution to the water sample and
stir at high speed for a few minutes.
• Observe: Observe the coagulation of the particles.
• Add a flocculant: If the particles need help settling, add a flocculant and
stir slowly.
• Evaluate: After a few minutes, evaluate the results.
• Repeat: If the settling is incomplete or too slow, repeat the test with more
coagulant.
• Filter or take a sample: After a few minutes, you can take a sample of the
clear water on top or filter the entire contents of the beaker.
The sequence of chemical additions is important, and the pH of the water
may also need to be adjusted.
 FILTRATION
• Filtration is the process in which solid
particles in a liquid or gaseous fluid are
removed by the use of a filter medium that
allows the fluid to pass through while retaining
the solid particles.
• It may mean the use of a physical barrier,
chemical, and/or a biological process.
 TYPES OF FILTERS
Filtration is carries out in three types of filters
1. Slow sand filter
2. Rapid sand filter/Gravity filters
3. Pressure filter
 Filter Materials
• Sand: Sand, either fine or coarse, is generally used as
filter media.
• The size of the sand is measured and expressed by the
term called effective size.
• The effective size, i.e. D10 may be defined as the size
of the sieve in mm through which ten percent of the
sample of sand by weight will pass.
• The uniformity coefficient, i.e. (D60/D10)may be
defined as the ratio of the sieve size in mm through
which 60 percent of the sample of sand will pass, to the
effective size of the sand.
 GRAVEL:
• The layers of sand may be supported on
gravel, which permits the filtered water to
move freely to the
• under drains, and allows the wash water to
move uniformly upwards.
 OTHER MATERIALS:
• Instead of using sand, sometimes, anthracite is
used as filter media.
• Anthrafilt is made from anthracite, which is a
type of coal-stone that burns without smoke or
flames. It is cheaper and has been able to give
a high rate of filtration.
 SLOW SAND FILTER:
• Slow sand filters are best suited for the
filtration of water for small towns.
• The sand used for the filtration is specified by
the effective size and uniformity
coefficient .The effective size, D10, which is
the sieve in millimeters that permits 10% sand
by weight to pass.
• The uniformity coefficient is calculated by the
ratio of D60 and D10.
 SLOW SAND FILTRATION
• Slow sand filtration is a simple and reliable process. They
are relatively inexpensive to build, but do require highly
skilled operators.
• The process percolates untreated water slowly through a
bed of porous sand, with the influent water introduced over
the surface of the filter, and then drained from the bottom.
• Properly constructed, the filter consists of a tank, a bed of
fine sand, a layer of gravel to support the sand, a system of
under drains to collect the filtered water, and a flow
regulator to control the filtration rate. No chemicals are
added to aid the filtration process.
 Principles of Slow Sand Filtration

1. In a slow sand filter impurities in the water are

removed by a combination of processes:
sedimentation, straining, adsorption, and
chemical and bacteriological action.
2. During the first few days, water is purified
mainly by mechanical and physical-chemical
processes
• Schmutzdeck it is a layer & it becomes living
quarters of vast numbers of micro-organisms which
break down organic material retained from the
water, converting it into water, carbon dioxide and
other oxides.
• 4. Most impurities, including bacteria and viruses,
are removed from the raw water as it passes through
the filter skin and the layer of filter bed sand just
below. The purification mechanisms extend from
the filter skin to approx. 0.3- 0.4 m below the
surface of the filter bed, gradually decreasing in
activity at lower levels as the water becomes
purified and contains less organic material.
5.When the micro-organisms become well
established, the filter will work efficiently and
produce high quality effluent which is virtually
free of disease carrying organisms and
biodegradable organic matter.
6. They are suitable for treating waters with low
colors, low turbidities and low bacterial
contents.
 CONSTRUCTION
• Slow sand filter is made up of a top layer of fine sand of
effective size 0.2. to 0.3mm
• The thickness of the layer may be 75 to 90 cm. Below the
fine sand layer, a layer of coarse sand of such size whose
voids do not permit the fine sand to pass through it. The
thickness of this layer may be 30cm.
• The lowermost layer is a graded gravel of size 2 to 45mm
and thickness is about 20 to 30cm. The gravel is laid in
layers such that the smallest sizes are at the top.
• The gravel layer is the retains for the coarse sand layer and
is laid over the network of open jointed clay pipe or
concrete pipes called under drainage. Water collected by
the under drainage is passed into the out chamber.
 OPERATION
• The water from sedimentation tanks enters the
slow sand filter through a submersible inlet.
This water is uniformly spread over a sand bed
without causing any disturbances.
• The water passes through the filter media at an
average rate of 2.4 to 3.6 m3/m2/day.
• The difference of water above the sand bed
and in the outlet chamber is called the loss of
head.
• When the loss of head reaches 60cm, filtration
is stopped and about 2 to 3 cms from the top of
bed is scrapped and replaced with clean sand
before putting back into service to the filter.
• The scrapped sand is washed with the water,
dried and stored for return to the filter at the
time of the next washing .
• The filter can run for 6 to 8 weeks before it
becomes necessary to replace the sand layer.
 USES
• The slow sand filters are effective in removal of 98 to
99% of bacteria of raw water and completely all
suspended impurities and turbidity is reduced to 1
N.T.U.
• Slow sand filters also removes odours, tastes and colours
from the water but not pathogenic bacteria which
requires disinfection to safeguard against water-borne
diseases.
• The slow sand filters requires large area for their
construction and high initial cost for establishment. The
rate of filtration is also very slow.
 MAINTENANCE
• The algae growth on the overflow weir should
be stopped. Rate of filtration should be
maintained constant and free from fluctuation.
• Filter head indicator should be in good
working condition.
• Trees around the plant should be controlled to
avoid bird droppings on the filter bed, No
coagulant should be used before slow sand
filtration since the floc will clog the bed
quickly.