Water Treatment

PRO – Online
Training Program

Instructor: Mr. Guy Sela

 HELLO!
I am Guy Sela
Water treatment specialist
BS.c Water and Soil Sciences
Chemical Engineering

guy.sela@croptima-ag.com +44-20-3290-1928 2
 WATER TREATMENT PRO - Online Training Program

10 Sessions

Thursdays 9 AM GMT

Repetition - Fridays 2 PM Central Time

Recordings and learning materials will be provided

Short test – Certificate of participation

Download syllabus here.

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Register to the full program here.
 OBJECTIVES

▰ Understand the water quality criteria for different water sources and usage purposes.
▰ Understand the fundamentals of unit operations that are part of the water treatment
process.
▰ Be able to propose a water treatment process for various water sources and usage
purposes.
▰ Be able to avoid and solve common and less common problems.
▰ Gain expertise water treatment practices.
▰ Become familiar with new technologies.

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Webinar platform – Zoom

Use your control panel to raise your hand or ask a question via the Q&A panel

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OK, let’s get started…

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 SOME FACTS
ABOUT WATER

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 SOME FACTS

Global water demand is

increasing sharply.

1 in 9 people do not have

access to clean water. That’s
about 800 million people.

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SOME FACTS – IMPACT OF BAD QUALITY WATER

▰ In 2017, 200 people an hour died as a direct result of

water pollution.
▰ UN report - 2,000 hectares of farmland (8 square
miles) are ruined daily by salt degradation.
▰ US $27.3 billion due to loss of crop production.

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HOW MUCH WATER IS REQUIRED TO PRODUCE…

Cup of coffee Cotton t-shirt 1 pound of beef

37 gallons 713 gallons 1,800 gallons

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 WHAT ARE THE AVAILABLE WATER RESOURCES?

There are about 326,000,000,000,000,000,000 gallons of water on earth. Constant

amount.

3% 97%

Fresh
Water Seawater Wastewater

0.9% Other Surface Ground Icecaps and Industrial

0.3% 30.1% Glaciers 68.7% Domestic and
(atm., organ…) Water Water
agriculture

Confined Unconfined
Lakes Rivers Swamps
aquifers aquifers
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HOW MUCH DO WE CONSUME?

200 liter/day (52 gal)

350 liter/day (92 gal)

Sub Saharan Africa – 20 liters (5 gal)

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WHAT DO WE USE THE WATER FOR?

Water use distribution

90
80
70
60
Axis Title

50
40
30
20
10
0
Developed Developing
Global
Countries Countries
Agriculture 70 30 82
Industry 22 59 10
Domestic 8 11 8 13
WATER QUALITY

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WHAT DETERMINES THE WATER QUALITY?

Common parameters, units

Suspended solids, Turbidity,

Physical Color, Temperature, Taste and TSS, NTU
odor

Organic – Oils, Detergents,

Rubber, Phenolic compounds
EC, pH, TDS, Hardness, COD,
Chemical Inorganic – Dissolved salts,
DO
Alkalinity, Acids, Cyanide,
Heavy metals

Bacteria, Viruses, Algae,

Biological BOD, OM
Small organisms 15
IMPURITIES IN WATER

Classification of impurities in water:

▰ Suspended impurities
▰ Colloidal impurities
▰ Dissolved impurities
▰ Living organisms

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IMPURITIES IN WATER

Suspended impurities
Small solid particles that remain in Particle Water Velocity
suspension due to the motion of the diameter (mm) (m/s)
water.
Fine sand 0.4 0.15
The higher the velocity of the water, the Coarse sand 2.5 0.3
bigger the particle that can be remained in Gravel 2.5-25 0.76
suspension.
Shingle 25-75 1.2
Inorganic – sand particles

Organic – industrial, domestic by-products 17

IMPURITIES IN WATER

Colloidal impurities
Fine, electrically-charged particles, that do not settle.

Mostly clay and silica particles, but also organic waste, amino
acids etc.

1 nanometer (10-9m)– 1 micrometer (10-6m)

Usually carry similar charge, therefore do not naturally

aggregate.

The higher the velocity of the water, the bigger the particle that
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can be remained in suspension.
IMPURITIES IN WATER

Dissolved impurities
Dissolved gases: O2, CO2, H2S etc.

Inorganic salts: Ca, Mg, Na, SO4, NO3 etc.

Organic matter: Humic and Fulvic acids, pesticides, detergents

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IMPURITIES IN WATER

Living Organisms
Algae, fungi, bacteria, viruses

Fish, worms, larvae

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TYPES OF CONTAMINANTS

▰ Suspended solids
▰ Nutrients
▰ Toxic chemicals
▰ Refractory organics – pesticides, surfactants, phenols
▰ Heavy metals
▰ Dissolved inorganics (salts)
▰ Biodegradable organics
▰ Pathogens
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GROUNDWATER

▰ Usually does not have color, odor or specific taste.

▰ Natural filtration by the soil above it.
▰ Main concern – chemical composition.
▰ Contain ions dissolved from soil, surrounding rocks and sediments.
▰ Their properties are affected mostly by geology.

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GROUNDWATER

Major constituent Secondary constituent Traza

(1.0-1000 ppm) (0.01-10 ppm) (up to 0.1ppm)
Aluminium, arsenic,
barium, bromide,
cadmium, copper, lead,
Sodium, Calcium, Potassium, Iron,
phosphate, iodide,
Magnesium, Bicarbonate, Strontium, Carbonate,
molybdenum, selenium,
Sulfate, Chloride, Silica Nitrate, Fluoride, Boron
uranium, zinc, silver,
beryllium, cerium, gold,
thorium… and more

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SURFACE WATER

▰ Suspended solids – turbidity

▰ Living organisms, including algae, bacteria, viruses.
▰ Fresh surface water – relatively low level of salts.

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GROUNDWATER VS. SURFACE WATER

Surface water Ground water

Mineral content
(dissolved solids) Low High
Suspended solids and
colloids (Turbidity) High Low
Bacteria, viruses, other
biological content High Low

Seasonal variability High Low 25

 WASTEWATER – WHAT FOR?

▰ Urban, public water supplies are treated for potable use

(drinking, cooking, bathing, laundry and dishwashing).
▰ Potable use is just a fraction of the total water requirements.
▰ For agriculture (irrigation) and some other uses, potable
water quality may not be needed and reclaimed water can be
used instead.

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 WASTEWATER – WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

▰ Domestic households, industry and agriculture produce

wastewater.
▰ Sewage is wastewater that contains feces, urine and laundry
waste.
▰ Industrial wastewater may contain many other pollutants.

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 WASTEWATER CHARACTERISTICS

▰ Domestic sewage contains approximately 99.9% water.

▰ The remaining part consists of suspended dissolved solids
(organic + inorganic) and microorganisms.
▰ Treatment is required because of the 0.1%...

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TYPES OF INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER

Pollutants

Mining Suspended Solids, acids, salts, metals

COD, heavy metals, suspended solids, cyanide, organic

Chemicals
chemicals
Petrochemicals
and refineries
BOD, COD, mineral oils, chromium

Pulp and paper BOD, COD, solids, organic compounds

Textiles and
leather
BOD, solids, sulfates, chromium

Microelectronics COD, organic chemicals 29

 WATER POLLUTION

Water pollution is anything that decreases the water quality

Point pollution
Any single, identifiable source from which pollutants are discharged – e.g.
pipe, ship, factory, sewage treatment plant…

Non-point sources
Not easily identified. Comes from many sources. Results from runoff,
precipitation, moving over and through the ground – e.g. fertilizers,
pesticides, salt, bacteria from livestock… Highest risk
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VOLNURABILITY OF GROUND WATER TO POLLUTION

The sensitivity of the aquifer to contamination is

assessed based on its physical characteristics.
Effects:

▰ Activities above the ground

▰ Infiltration rate
Impermeable rock
▰ Properties of the contaminant
▰ Unconfined vs. Confined aquifer
▰ Natural filtration
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VOLNURABILITY OF SURFACE WATER TO POLLUTION

Vulnerable to natural and human contamination.

▰ Contaminated runoff
▰ Upstream users
▰ Air pollutants – acid rain
▰ Debris
▰ Suspended solids

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WATER QUALITY CRITERIA

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 HOW ARE QUALITY CRITERIA DETERMINED?

Criteria and standards are determined in relation to the suitability of the water
for a particular purpose - intended use / beneficial use.

Intended Use
The purpose we want to use the water for.

Beneficial Use
A use of water resulting in gain or benefit to the user and to society.
Beneficial uses are determined on a country/state level.
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EXAMPLES OF BENEFICIAL USES OF WATER

Domestic Industrial Agriculture

Drinking, bathing, cooking Process water Irrigation
House cleaning Cooling water Livestock water supply
Garden irrigation
Street washing
Fire fighting etc.

Recreation Others
Contact – Swimming, surfing etc. Hydroelectric power
Non contact- Fishing, boating, Groundwater recharge
aesthetic enjoyment etc. Preservation (biological
habitants, vegetation,
areas etc.)
Navigation and
shipping… 35
WATER QUALITY CRITERIA

We will usually find:

▰ Threshold values
▰ Minimum maximum ranges
▰ Different parameters – pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen
Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) nutrients, TDS, TSS, EC,
Hardness.

▰ Criteria for hazardous substances

▰ Specific bacteria 36
EXAMPLE: DRINKING WATER

EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency).

Primary Drinking Regulations
https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-primary-
drinking-water-regulations#threeInorganic

Secondary Standards
Non-mandatory standards for 15 contaminants, which are not health-
threatening. They reflect aesthetic and technical considerations, such as
taste, color, odor and potential damage to equipment.

https://www.epa.gov/dwstandardsregulations/secondary-drinking-water-
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standards-guidance-nuisance-chemicals
 EXAMPLES: PRIMARY REGULATIONS

Source of
Contaminant MCLG (mg/l) MCL (mg/l) or TT
Contaminant
Cryptosporidium Human and animal
0 TT3
(pathogen) fecal waste
Turbidity n/a TT3 Soil runoff
Chlorine (as Cl2) MRDLG=4 MRDL=4 Water disinfectant
Runoff from fertilizer
Nitrate (as N) 10 (44.3 NO3-) 10
use, sewage…
TT3 for Turbidity - For systems that use conventional or direct filtration, at no time can turbidity go higher than 1
NTU, and samples for turbidity must be less than or equal to 0.3 NTUs in at least 95 percent of the samples in any
month…

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 SOME TERMS

MCL Maximum Contaminant Level. Enforceable level.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal. Below that level there is no known/expected risk to
MCLG
health. Non-enforceable goal.
Treatment Technique – the require process to reduce the level of contaminant in the
TT
drinking water.
Action Level - the concentration of the contaminant that if exceeded, treatment is
AL
required.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal, below which there is no known/expected
MRDLG
risk to health.

MRDL Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level. The highest level allowed in drinking water.

MCL >= MCLG 39

EXAMPLES: SECONDARY STANDARDS

Noticeable effect above the Secondary

Contaminant Secondary MCL
MCL
Chloride 250 mg/l Salty taste
Fluoride 2.0 mg/l Tooth discoloration
Low pH: bitter metallic taste;
pH 6.5-8.5 corrosion.
High pH: Slippery feel; deposits; taste.
Deposits, colored water, salty taste,
TDS 500 mg/l
staining
Iron 0.3 mg/l Rusty color, metallic taste, staining

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EXAMPLE: IRRIGATION WATER

Different criteria than drinking water. The main problems:

▰ Salinity – TDS/EC thresholds. Affects water availability to crops.
▰ Toxicity – thresholds for specific ions.
▰ Infiltration rate problems – Caused by Sodium
▰ Damage to equipment – acidity, alkalinity, hardness, iron, algae
▰ Sanitation – bacteria, fungi, viruses
▰ Nutrient antagonism, availability
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Criteria may be different for different crops and conditions
 EXAMPLES: IRRIGATION WATER

No restriction Slight to moderate

Contaminant/Parameter Severe restriction
for use restriction
ECw <0.7 ds/m 0.7-3.0 ds/m >3.0 ds/m
SAR (varies with the ECw) <6 6-12 >12
Chloride (surface irrigation) <4 meq/l 4-10 meq/l >10 meq/l
TDS <450 mg/l 450-2000 mg/l >2000 mg/l

http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/T0234E/T0234E01.htm#ch1 42
EXAMPLES: IRRIGATION WATER

Sensitivity to boron

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WASTEWATER REUSE

Critical objective: protection of public health

▰ Bacteria, parasites, viruses

▰ Controlling the chemical constituents
▰ Limiting public exposure

Selecting the necessary treatment involves knowing the constituents of the wastewater
And defining the intended use.
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 EXAMPLES: WASTEWATER REUSE FOR IRRIGATION

Slight to moderate
Reuse No restriction for use
restriction
pH 6-9
BOD ≤ 10 mg/l
Irrigation for public areas, not
Turbidity ≤ 2 NTU
processed food crops
Fecal coliforms/100 ml zero
Residual chlorine At least 1 mg/l

Source: U.S. EPA, 2004

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 SOME TERMS

BOD- Biochemical Oxygen Demand. The amount of dissolved oxygen consumed

by aerobic microorganisms, usually during 5 days at 20C (BOD5). Higher BOD
means higher pollution.
COD – Chemical Oxygen Demand. The capacity of the water to consume oxygen
during decomposition of organic matter and oxidation of inorganic chemicals.
Higher COD means higher amount of oxidizable organic material.

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WATER TREATMENT - EXAMPlES

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TREATMENT - CONSIDERATIONS

The required water treatment process is governed by the specific characteristics

of the source water that is to be treated, and by the quality criteria.

Additional considerations:
Capital and operating costs
Residuals

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THE MULTIPLE BARRIER APPROACH

Applies mainly to drinking water, but also for other uses.

In order to guarantee safe drinking water, with maximum protection and minimum
risk:

1. Selecting the best water source

2. Protecting the water source from contamination
3. Applying effective water treatment
4. Maintaining the distribution system
5. Applying adequate monitoring
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6. Increasing public awareness
AIR-STRIPPING and AERATION

Air stripping - Removes VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds),

taste and odor and dissolved gasses such as carbon dioxide
and hydrogen sulfide.

Aeration - Oxidizes iron and manganese, removal of hydrogen

sulfide.

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 COAGULATION-FLOCCULATION

Removes colloids and fine particles, reduces bacteria and viruses.

Coagulation – the addition of a chemical that neutralizes the negative charges of the particles
and allows them to aggregate.

Flocculation – gentle mixing that brings the particles to bind together and form larger
particles, which can be removed by sedimentation or conventional filtration.

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 FILTRATION

Rapid Sand Filtration – removal of relatively large suspended particles (usually after the
coagulation-flocculation process). Automatic backwash. Usually used for towns and cities.

Slow Sand Filtration – Coagulation-flocculation not required, requires larger area, high
efficiency in removing bacteria…

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 DESALINATION – REVERSE OSMOSIS

Removes dissolved solids and minerals. Reduces the salinity of the water. The water is
pushed by high pressure through semi-permeable membranes and the removed salts are
flushed down the drain.

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 CHLORINE DISINFECTION

Kills bacteria and viruses. There are different forms of chlorine disinfection – chlorine gas,
sodium hypochlorite and calcium hypochlorite. Water is disinfected after filtration.
Contact time is required.

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 WASTEWATER – THREE TYPES/STAGES

.
Primary treatment – Removes suspended solid waste and reduces BOD. 20-30
reduction in BOD and up to 60% of the suspended solids.
Water is held in tanks so heavier solids settle in the bottom.
Secondary treatment – involves biological processes to remove organic
matter. Activated sludge, wetland systems. Can remove up to 85% of BOD and
total suspended solids.
Tertiary treatment – Removes remaining inorganic compounds, such as
nitrogen and phosphorous, bacteria and viruses. Can involve
flocculation/precipitation, sand filtration reverse osmosis, carbon adsorption,
disinfection and other treatments.
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THANKS!
Any questions?
You can find me at
Guy.sela@croptima-ag.com

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