Filters may be single, dual, or multi media:

Single - sand or anthracite

Dual - sand and anthracite
Multimedia - garnet, sand and anthracite

After backwashing a single media filter the granular media settles back into place with the
coarse materials (largest diameter) on the bottom, fine materials (smallest diameter) on the
surface. This natural distribution causes solids to rapidly accumulate at the surface causing
increased headloss and short filter runs. It is preferable to have trapped material accumulate
more evenly through the depth of the bed to allow longer filter runs.
Dual and multimedia filters alter the gradation of the granular materials by using media with
different densities. therefore these filters can have coarse (large diameter) materials at the
surface due to lower density, and finer materials of higher density deeper in the bed.

Some intermixing of media is due to non uniformity of particle sizes and shape. This results in
a non-uniform gradation from largest at the surface to smallest at the bottom (i.e. not the ideal).
Rather, two or three accumulation surfaces will occur within the filter. However, this still
permits greater utilization of the depth of the filter bed and therefore less headloss and longer
filter runs.
The effectiveness of the granular material as filter media is dependent on the size, uniformity,
and composition of the grains. The size of the granular media correlates with the surface area
available to support the microorganisms that treat the wastewater. This consequently affects the
quality of the filtered effluent.
Following is a schematic of sand or anthracite grains within a granular filter bed. The pores
within the media perform very much like small sedimentation basins and the mechanisms
discussed above work to remove particles as they pass through.

As more and more floc particles are removed in the pores of the media, the pores become
smaller and smaller. This creates headloss through the filter and causes the velocity of the
water traveling through the media to increase (assuming the filtration rate remains constant).
This increase in velocity will cause corresponding increased shear forces and will eventually
lead to break through of turbidity.
The underdrain systems support the filter media bed, collects the filtered water, and distribute
the backwash water uniformly. There are a large variety of underdrain systems many of which
are proprietary. Most underdrain systems are overlain by gravel grades in five or six layers:

40 to 60 mm diameter as the bottom layer

2.5 to 5 mm diameter as the upper layer
layers 60 to 200 mm thick, to a total depth of 400 to 600 mm

Distributors with lateral pipes equipped with nozzles or orifices are the simplest systems.
Whatever system is employed, the backwash water must be distributed as evenly as possible to

prevent jetting and loss of filter material during backwashing. Generally, there is provision
under the filters for storage of treated water called the `clear water reservoir', `clear well'.
Typical removal efficiencies using granular media filtration are as follows:

Coagulation/flocculation/settling followed by granular media filtration

o 84 to 96% removal of turbidity
o 97 to 99.95% removal of coliform bacteria
o 100 removal of Giardia cysts
Without coagulation/settling
o 35 to 57% removal of turbidity
o 60% removal of coliform bacteria
o 80 to 91% removal of Giardia cysts

Poor process control can allow solids break through and escape of Giardia cysts. Use on-line
turbidity or particle counting apparatus for process control.