UNIT 3

WATER TREATMENT
UNIT III WATER TREATMENT
Objectives – Unit operations and processes –
Principles, functions, and design of water
treatment plant units, aerators, flash mixers,
Coagulation and flocculation –Clarifloccuator-
Pulsator clarifier -sand filters - Disinfection -
Residue Management –Operation and
Maintenance aspects.
1. OBJECTIVES
2. UNIT OPERATIONS AND PROCESSES
3. PRINCIPLES, FUNCTIONS, DESIGN OF
AERATORS
FLASH MIXERS
FLOCCULATORS
SEDIMENTATION TANKS
SAND FILTERS
DISINFECTION
4. RESIDUE MANAGEMENT
5. CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE OF WATER TREATMENT PLANT
 Objectives of water treatment
 Objectives of water treatment are
 to remove the different impurities present in the raw
water, to render the water safe and clean and
 to ensure the treated water quality meets the drinking
water standards.
 The type of treatment required depends on the
characteristics of the raw water.
 The characteristics of the raw water is assessed by
taking sample of water from the source during
different seasons of the year and analyzing for physical,
chemical and bacteriological quality parameters.

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 Impurities present in the raw water from
the sources
 Physical impurities
 Turbidity, colour, taste, odour
 Chemical impurities
 pH, Hardness, Iron & Manganese, Fluoride,
Nitrate, Total dissolved solids (TDS), Toxic
substances
 Bacteriological impurities
 Disease producing pathogens: Bacteria
(coliforms), Viruses, Fungi

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 Important Drinking Water Standards

Parameters Acceptable Rejection

limit limit
Turbidity, NTU 1 10
pH 7.0 to 8.5 < 6.5 & > 9.2
TDS (mg/L) 500 2000
Fluoride (mg/L) 1.0 1.5
Nitrate (mg/L) 45 45
Iron (mg/L) 0.1 1.0
E. Coli (MPN) Zero Zero
Source: CPHEEO Manual on Water Supply and Treatment

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 Impurities present in water
 Impurities may be present in different forms
of solids:
 Floating solids
 Suspended solids
 Readily settleble – discrete solids
 Non-settleble – colloidal solids
 Dissolved solids (chemical substances)

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 Methods for removal of impurities
 Floating solids: Screening
 Suspended solids
 Readily settleble – discrete solids:
Sedimentation and filtration
 Non-settleble – colloidal solids: coagulation,
flocculation, clarification and filtration
 Dissolved solids (chemical substances): Water
softening (In-exchange) and Desalination (Reverse
Osmosis)

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 Treatment process
• UNIT OPERATIONS – Contaminants are
brought out by physical process.
• UNIT PROCESS – Treatment is achieved by
chemical and biological process.
 UNIT PROCESS AND OPERATION
S.No Description and principal applications Unit Operation and
process

1 To remove floating debris, fish etc Course Screen

2 oxidizes odour and taste causing Volatile organics Aeration

3 Uniform and rapid distribution of chemicals Mixing

4 Coagulation is the addition of rapid mixing Coagulation
coagulant resulting in de stabilization of colloidal
particles and formation of floc.
UNIT PROCESS AND OPERATIONS
S.No Description and principal applications Unit Operation
and process
5 Flocculation is aggregation of destabilized Flocculation
turbidity and colour causing particles to form a
rapid- settling floc
6 Gravity separation of suspended solids or floc Sedimentation
produced in treatment process. It is the unit
followed by coagulation, flocculation and
chemical precipitation.

7 Removal of particulate matter by percolation Filtration

through granular media. Filtration layer may be
single mixed or multi-layered.
8 Destroys disease causing organisms in water Disinfection
supply
 UNIT PROCESS AND OPERATION
S.No. Description and principal applications Unit Operation and
process
9 Involves removal of dissolved salts from De mineralisation
water supply. It is achieved by ion
exchange
10 Semi permeable membrane are used to Reverse Osmosis
permeate high quality water while
rejecting the passage of dissolved
solids. RO is also used for nitrate and
arsenic removal.
 Typical Unit Operations and
Processes In Water Treatment
Screening

Pre Chlorination
Sedimentation

Aeration
Rapid Sand
Filtration
Rapid
Alum
Mixing

Chlorination
Flocculation
 Process Flow Diagram of Surface Water
Treatment
Coagulant Sedimentation
Screen basin
Surface water
from supply
Rapid Flocculation
Mix
Rapid Sand Basin
Filter Sludge

Disinfection
To
Storage Distribution
System
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 Coarse and Fine Screens
• Screens are provided in front of the pumps, intake
works so as to exclude the large sized particles
such as debris, fish, tree branches and bushes.
• Coarse screens consists of parallel iron rods placed
vertically or at a slight slope at 25 to 50 mm clear
spacing.
• The course screen, normally kept at 450 – 600 to
the horizontal to increase the opening area to
reduce the flow velocity.
• The velocity through the screen is not more than
0.8 to 1 m/s.
Screening
 Pre Chlorination
• It is the process of applying chlorine to the water
before flocculation, sedimentation and filtration.
• It helps in improving coagulation and reduces the
load on filter
• It also reduces the taste, odour, algae and other
organisms.
• Normal doses are 5 – 10 mg/L. Residual of 0.1 to
0.2 is preferred.
 Aeration
• Aeration removes odour and tastes due to volatile
gases like hydrogen sulphide and due to algae and
related organisms.
• Aeration also oxidise iron and manganese, increases
dissolved oxygen content in water, removes CO2 and
reduces corrosion and removes methane and other
flammable gases.
• Principle of treatment: volatile gases in water
escape into atmosphere from the air-water
interface and atmospheric oxygen takes their place
in water, provided the water body can expose itself
over a vast surface to the atmosphere.
Types of Aerators
• Gravity aerators
• Fountain aerators
• Diffused aerators
• Mechanical aerators.
• Gravity Aerators (Cascades): water is allowed to fall
by gravity such that a large area of water is exposed
to atmosphere, sometimes aided by turbulence.
• Fountain Aerators : These are also known as spray
aerators with special nozzles to produce a fine
spray. Each nozzle is 2.5 to 4 cm diameter
discharging about 18 to 36 l/h.
• Injection or Diffused Aerators : It consists of a tank
with perforated pipes, tubes or diffuser plates, fixed
at the bottom to release fine air bubbles from
compressor unit.
The tank depth is kept as 3 to 4 m and tank width is
within 1.5 times its depth. If depth is more, the
diffusers must be placed at 3 to 4 m depth below
water surface.
Time of aeration is 10 to 30 min and 0.2 to 0.4 litres
of air is required for 1 litre of water.
• Mechanical Aerators : Mixing paddles as in
flocculation are used. Paddles may be either
submerged or at the surface.
Coagulation and Flocculation
 Colloids
• Colloids are solids range between 0.001 and
0.5 micron (µ) in size and can be seen only
with a high-powered microscope. Examples
include bacteria, fine clays, and silts.
• Colloids are electrically charged particles and
are so small that they will not settle out of the
water by gravity even after several years of
retention
• They cannot be removed by filtration alone.
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 Process for removal of colloids
• Coagulation is addition of coagulant chemicals to
water and rapid mixing so as to neutralize the
electrical charges of the colloidal particles in the
water, and allow them to come closer and form
fine clumps or micro flocs.
• Flocculation is the slow mixing the coagulated
water to convert the micro-flocs into macro-flocs
• Clarification is the sedimentation process for
removing macro-flocs from the water
• Filtration is the operation of removing the
residual particles from the water

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 Chemicals used for Coagulation
1. Alum (Aluminium Sulphate: Al2(SO4)3.18H2O)
• The alum when added to raw water, reacts
with the bicarbonate alkalinities, to form a
gelatinous precipitate (floc) of aluminium
hydroxide.
• This floc attracts other fine particles and
suspended matter, thus grows in size, and
finally settles down to the bottom of the tank.
Al2(SO4)3.18H2O + 3Ca(HCO3)2 3CaSO4 +
2Al(OH)3 + 6CO2
2. Ferrous Sulphate ( FeSO4. 7H2O)
3. Chlorinated Ferrous Sulphate
4. Sodium Aluminate (Na2Al2O4)
 Coagulation and flocculation

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 Mixing Devices
• After addition of the coagulant to the raw
water, the mixture is thoroughly and
vigorously mixed, so that the coagulant gets
fully dispersed into the entire mass of water.
• This can be achieved by means of mixing
devices such as mixing basins.
• There are two types of mixing basins,
1. Mixing basins with baffle walls
2. Mixing basins equipped with mechanical
devices.(Flash mixers)
Mixing basins with baffle walls
(Vertical flow)
Mixing basins with baffle walls
(Horizontal flow)
 Mixing basins with baffle walls -
Design criteria
• The velocity of flow: 1.15 to 0.45 m/s.
• The detention period: 20 to 50 minutes
• The distance between baffles should not less
than 45 cm.
• The clear opening between end of each baffle
and the tank wall (roof or floor) should be
kept about 1.5 times the distance between
baffles, subjected to minimum of 60cm.
Mixing basin with mechanical devices
(Flash Mixer)
• The chemical added to raw water is
vigorously mixed and agitated by a flash
mixer for its rapid dispersion in raw water.
• The water is then transferred to a
flocculation tank provided with a slow
mixer.
Flash Mixer
 Flash Mixer– Design Criteria
• The impeller’s speed is generally kept
between 100 to 200 rpm.
• The detention period may vary between 0.5 to
2 minutes.
• Power required in flash mixing may vary from
2 to 5 kW/m3/minute.
Agitator
 Flocculation Tank or Flocculator
• From mixing basin, the water is taken to a
flocculation tank called a flocculator, where it
is given a slow stirring motion.
• It is a rectangular or circular tank fitted with
paddles operated by electric motor.
• The water coming out from flocculator is
taken to the sedimentation tank.
 Flocculator – Design Criteria
• The paddles usually rotate at a speed of about
2 to 3 rpm.
• The detention period for this tank ranges
between 20 to 60 minutes.
• The clear distance between paddles and the
wall or the floor of the tank is about 15 to 30
cm.
 Jar Test to determine optimum
coagulant dosage
• The jar test is a common laboratory procedure
used to determine the optimum operating
conditions for water or wastewater treatment.
• This method allows adjustments in pH,
variations in coagulant or polymer dose,
alternating mixing speeds, or testing of
different coagulant or polymer types, on a
small scale in order to predict the functioning
of a large scale treatment operation.
Jar Testing Apparatus
• The jar testing apparatus consists of six
paddles which stir the contents of six 1 liter
containers.
• One container acts as a control while the
operating conditions can be varied among the
remaining five containers.
• A rpm gage at the top-center of the device
allows for the uniform control of the mixing
speed in all of the containers.
 Jar Test Procedure
• Take 6 jars – out of which one is control
• Adjust pH to 6.5 to 8.3
• Different dosage of coagulants are added
• Stir at 100 rpm for 2 minutes
• Followed by 2 to 3 rpm for 20 miutes
• Allow it to settle for 30 minutes
• Analyze for turbidity.
 Sedimentation or Clarification or
Settling
Purpose of Settling
• To remove coarse dispersed phase.
• To remove coagulated and flocculated
impurities.
• To remove precipitated impurities after
chemical treatment.
• To settle the sludge (biomass) after activated
sludge process / tricking filters.
Principle of Settling
• Suspended solids present in water having
specific gravity greater than that of water tend
to settle down by gravity as soon as
the turbulence is retarded by offering storage.
• Basin in which the flow is retarded is
called settling tank or sedimentation tank or
sedimentation basin or clarifier.
• Theoretical average time for which the water is
detained in the settling tank is called
the detention period.
Types of Settling
• Type I: Discrete particle settling - Particles
settle individually without interaction with
neighboring particles.
Type II: Flocculent Settling – Flocculation
causes the particles to increase in mass and
settle at a faster rate.
Type III: Hindered or Zone settling –The mass
of particles tends to settle as a unit with
individual particles remaining in fixed
positions with respect to each other.
• Type IV: Compression settling– The
concentration of particles is so high that
sedimentation can only occur through
compaction of the structure.
THEORY OF SEDIMENTATION (Type 1 settling)

The settlement of particle in water brought to rest

is opposed by the following factors:

a) The velocity of flow which carries the particle

horizontally. The greater the flow area, the
lesser is the velocity and hence more easily the
particle will settle down.
b) The viscosity of water in which the particle is
travelling.
Viscosity varies inversely with temperature.
THEORY OF SEDIMENTATION cont…

Warm water is less viscous (less resistance to

settlement)
However temperature of water cannot be
controlled in water purification process.
c) The size, shape and specific gravity of the
particle
Greater specific gravity more readily particle will
settle
Size and shape also affect settling rate.
- Very small sized particles will settle very
slowly
Out of the three forces, only two forces i.e.,
(1) the velocity of flow and (2) shape and size of
particles are tried to control in these settling
tanks

The velocity of flow can be reduced by increasing

the length of travel and by detaining the particles
for a longer time
The size and shape of particles can be altered by
the addition of certain chemicals in water. These
chemicals are called coagulants
 Sedimentation Tank
Sedimentation Tank
Horizontal flow type Vertical flow type

Rectangular with horizontal flow

Circular with radial flow
 Clarification (Sedimentation)
Flow path

Rectangular Tank

Circular Tank

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 Horizontal flow type
1) RECTANGULAR TANKS WITH LONGITUDINAL
FLOW

• Continuous flow type of sedimentation tank

• Provided with mechanical scrapping devices to
scrap sludge to the sludge pit
 2.a) CIRCULAR TANKS WITH RADIAL FLOW WITH
CENTRAL FEED
Aim
The aim is to provide uniform radial flow with
decreasing velocity towards the periphery.
Water enters at the centre of the tank into a
circular well provided with multiple ports from
which it comes out to flow radially outwards in all
directions equally.
Water flows horizontally and radially from the
centre towards the periphery of the circular tank.
 2.b) CIRCULAR TANKS WITH PERIPHERAL FEED

The raw water enters the tank from periphery

or the rim.

Average detention time is greater in

peripheral feed basins
Peripheral Feed Circular Tank
 VERTICAL or UPFLOW SETTLING TANKS

•Used for plain sedimentation or

•Used for sedimentation aided with coagulation.
•Square or circular in plan and have hopper
bottoms.
•Influent enters at the bottom of the unit.
•Upflow velocity decreases with the increased
cross sectional area of the tank.
•Clarified water is withdrawn through the
circumferential or central weir.
When used with coagulants, the flocculation
takes place in the bottom of the tank leading to
formation of blanket of floc through which the
rising floc must pass. Because of this
phenomenon, these tanks are called the Upflow
Sludge Blanket Clarifiers.
 DESIGN CONCEPTS IN PLAIN
SEDIMENTATION TANKS (TYPE I
SETTLING)

Overflow velocity or Overflow rate or Surface

Overflow rate or Surface loading (Vo)
Flow velocity at which the tank is designed to
operate.
Velocity of the liquid rising.

Settling velocity (Vs) or Particle Settling velocity

The rate at which the particle is settling.
Removal of particle
Particle settling velocity (Vs) > liquid rise velocity
(Vo)
Vs > Vo 100% removal of particles
Vs < Vo 0% removal of particles

Successful design of a sedimentation tank

Determine the particle settling velocity (Vs)
Fix the overflow rate at some lower value
Vo=80% Vs for upflow clarifier
Design details

Plain sedimentation tanks (Type I settling)

Surface overflow rate=12 – 18 m3 per day
per m2

Sedimentation tanks using coagulants as

aids (Type II settling)
Surface overflow rate=24 – 30 m3 per day
per m2
Depth = 3.0 to 4.5m (Min. 1.8m & max. 6m)
Detention Period (t)
It may be defined as the average theoretical
time required for the water to flow through
the tank length.

Plain sedimentation tanks (Type I settling)

Detention time = 4 to 8 hours

Sedimentation tanks using coagulants as

aids (Type II settling)
Detention time = 2 to 4 hours
Width of tank = 10 – 12m
Length of the tank = 1 to 6 times width (4
times the width)
i.e., Length of the tank = 10 to 60m (40m)
i.e., Length of the tank = 12 to 72m (48m)
Horizontal flow velocity=0.15 – 0.9m/minute
(0.3m/minute)
For tanks without mechanical sludge removal
equipment, additional minimum depth=0.8m
– 1.2m should be provided for storage of
sediment and is called sludge zone
 COAGULATION - CUM - SEDIMENTATION TANK
(Clariflocculator)
• A plain floc-chamber is provided before the
water enters the sedimentation chamber.
• The detention time for the floc-chamber is
kept about 15 to 40 minutes and that for
settling tank at about 2 to 4 hours.
• The depth of floc-chamber = half of that of in
the settling tank.
• Depth varying from 3 to 6 m.
• They may be cleaned at intervals of about 6
months.
COAGULATION - CUM - SEDIMENTATION TANK
(Clariflocculator)
COAGULATION - CUM - SEDIMENTATION TANK
(Clariflocculator)
45 m
45
Pulsator clarifier
• Pulsator is a pulsed sludge blanket clarifier,
which simultaneously carries out coagulation
and flocculation.
Pulsator technology :
• The sludge formed during flocculation is made
up of an expansion mass called “sludge bed”.
• Water, that has coagulated beforehand,
arrives from the bottom of the device and
flows through this sludge bed to emerge
clarified at the top of the settling tank.
• The sludge bed is kept in expansion with the
help of a pulsating operation.
Vacuumizing
• The air chamber is depressurised by pumping
out the air that it contains resulting in a
gradual rise in level until a height of 0.6 to 1 m
above the water level is reached.
• During this phase, the sludge bed settles
down with the effect of gravity.
Flushing – decompression
• When the high level is reached in the air
chamber, the vacuum-breaking valve opens;
water then flows at great speed through the
manifolds creating a flushing effect.
• The sludge bed is decompressed. The excess
sludge (water impurities and reagents) flows
into the concentrators where it is extracted at
regular intervals.
 FILTRATION
• Even after screening, coagulation , flocculation
and sedimentation still water will contain very
fine suspended solids and bacteria.
• To remove or reduce such particles water is
passed through beds of fine granular material
such as sand, etc. called filters.
• The process of passing the water through the
beds of such granular materials is known as
Filtration.
 FILTRATION
• Filtration helps in removing colour, odour,
turbidity and pathogens from water.
• Filtration removes precipitated hardness from
chemically softened waters and precipitated
iron and manganese from aerated waters.
 Theory of Filtration
• The filters, purify the water under four
different processes.
1. Mechanical straining
2. Flocculation and sedimentation
3. Biological metabolism
4. Electrolytic changes
 Filters
 There are three types of filters:
 Slow sand filters (SSF):
 For treating small quantity of water with turbidity less
than 50NTU
 Rapid sand filtration (RSF):
 For treating large quantity of water with any level of
turbidity
 For treating small quantity of water with turbidity
greater than 50NTU
 Pressure Filters

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Design of Trough
• Wash water trough generally kept 1.5 – 2 m
apart.
• Let us provide 3 troughs, at 5.2/3 = 1.73 m apart.
• The total wash water discharge of 0.133 m3/s in 3
troughs.
• Discharge in each trough = 0.133/3 = 0.044 m3/s.
• The dimensions of flat bottom trough are
designed by an empirical formula
Q = 1.376 b.y3/2
where, Q = discharge in m3/s, b = width of trough
= 0.2 m, y = water depth in the trough in m
• let,
0.044 = 1.376 x 0.2 x y3/2
y3/2 = 0.16
y = 0.3m = 30 cm.
keeping 5 cm freeboard,
adopt depth of trough = 30+5=35 cm
Hence, 3 Nos. of wash water troughs of size 35
cm x 20 cm may be used.
Details of Manifold and Laterals
Perforation Details in Laterals
Laterals with Stainers
 SSF Vs RSF
DESCRIPTION SLOW SAND FILTER RAPID SAND FILTER
Base Material 3 to 65 mm in size 3 to 40 mm in size
30 – 75 cm depth 60 – 90 cm depth
Filter Sand 0.25 to 0.35 mm and 0.35 to 0.55 mm and
uniformity coefficient uniformity coefficient
3 to 5 1.2 – 1.8
Rate of filtration 100 – 200 l/h/m2 3000 – 6000 l/h/m2
Post treatment No Chlorination required Chlorination is must
requirement
Cleaning Top 1.5 to 3 cm to be Back washing periodically
scrapped and removed with clean water and air
mix
Loss Head Initial loss 0.1 m Initial loss 0.3 m
0.8 – 1.2 m HL calls for 2.5 – 3.5 m HL calls for
cleaning cleaning
 Pressure Filter

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 Vertical Pressure Filter

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settling tank
settling tank
DISINFECTION
 MINOR METHODS OF DISINFECTION

1. Boiling of water
2. Treatment with excess lime
3. Treatment with ozone
4. Treatment with iodine and bromine
5. Treatment with Ultra Violet rays
6. Treatment with potassium permanganate
7. Treatment with silver
 DISINFECTION
- CHLORINATION
 CHLORINATION
Advantage
 It is available in various forms.
 Universally used for disinfecting water supplies.
 It is cheap, reliable, easy to handle
 It is easily measurable
 It is capable of providing residual disinfecting
effects for long periods
Disadvantage
 When used in greater amounts it imparts bitter
and bad taste to the water
 pH Chemical Form

>10
< 7 &> 5
<5
Free available chlorine

• The sum of hypochlorous acid, hypochlorite

ions and molecular chlorine existing in a
sample of water is termed as free available
chlorine.

• Hypochlorous acid is most destructive

• Hypochlorous acid is about 80 times more

effective than hypochlorite ions
 pH Chemical Form

>7.5
5 to 6.5
< 4.4
DOSES OF CHLORINE
• Amount of chlorine depends upon inorganic
and organic impurities.
• First react with inorganic impurities (S--
,Fe++,Mn++,NO2-) & it convert chlorine to
chloride.
• Excess chlorine after this react with ammonia
to form Chloramines and also with organic
impurities.
• Some organic compounds completely oxidise
chlorine while some chloroorganics formed will
have some oxidising power.
DOSES OF CHLORINE
• The chlorine consumed in all above reactions
represent the chlorine demand of water.
• When once it gets satisfied the chlorine will
appear as free chlorine.
• Free chlorine + Combined chlorine cause
germicidal action on bacteria and pathogens
• Combined chlorine – Long term germicidal effect
• Free chlorine – Instantaneously kill pathogens
• Free chlorine residual of about 0.2mg/L, 10
minutes after the chlorine is applied
Various forms in which chlorine can be applied

As free chlorine
1. In the form of liquid chlorine or as chlorine gas

As combined chlorine
2. In the form of hypochlorites or bleaching powder
3. In the form of chlorine tablets
4. In the form of chloramines
5. In the form of chlorine dioxide
 TYPES OF CHLORINATION

1. Plain chlorination
2. Pre-chlorination
3. Post-chlorination
4. Double chlorination
5. Break point chlorination
6. Super chlorination
7. Dechlorination
 1. Plain chlorination

 The term is used to indicate that only the chlorine

treatment and no other treatment has been given
to the raw water.
 The raw water is fed into the distribution system
after giving chlorine treatment only.
 It helps in removing bacteria, organic matter and
colour
 It is used for treating relatively clearer water.
 2. Pre-chlorination

 It is the process of applying chlorine to the water

before filtration or rather before sedimentation
coagulation.
 It helps in improving coagulation and reduces the
loads on the filters.
 It reduces the taste, odour, algae and other
organisms
 Chlorine dose 0.1 – 0.5 mg/L of residual chlorine
comes to the filter plant.
 Normal dose is 5 – 10 mg/L
 Prechlorination is always followed by post
chlorination to ensure final safety.
 Residue Management from Water
Treatment
• The sludge is produced in a water treatment
plant in its following units:
(i) Sedimentation tank or clariflocculator
(ii) Filters
The methods of dewatering of sludge
(i) Gravity thickening, (ii) Sand drying beds
(iii) High speed centrifuges and
(iv) Pressure filtration
The methods of disposal of sludge
(i) Land application, (ii) burial and (iii) Incineration
 Operation and Maintenance of a
Water Treatment Plant

• “Operation and maintenance refers to all of

the activities needed to run a water supply
and sanitation scheme, except for the
construction of new facilities. The overall aim
of operation and maintenance is to ensure
efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of
water supply and sanitation facilities”
 Operation and maintenance of a
water treatment plant
Screeners:
• In the case of hand raked screens, the screens
should be raked at least hourly.
• Screenings should be allowed to drain for an
hour, until the screen is raked again.
• Surfaces on which screenings have been
deposited, should be hosed down on a daily
basis, in such a way that wash water flows
back into the waste water stream.
Coagulation& flocculation:
• The maintenance of the flocculation drive units
usually is lubrication of the motor and drive units
according to the manufacturer's
recommendations.
• Horizontal paddles usually have submerged
bearings, drive chains, or packing which requires
additional checking and maintenance.
• The flocculation basins should be drained
approximately every six months to check the
condition of the paddles or blades, to remove any
accumulation of settled material, and to check on
the condition of the basin's structure.
Sedimentation:
• The inlet devices should be designed to
distribute the water for uniform velocities and
care should be taken to prevent short circuiting
of flows.
• There should be surface skimming to collect
floating debris, such as leaves, scum, etc.
• When the basins are drained for cleaning, the
condition of the basins and the sludge
collection equipment should be checked
carefully.
Filtration:
• The filter control valves should be checked routinely for
proper operation and any leakage.
• The filter media should be examined annually to evaluate
its overall condition. Is the media uniformly graded and
distributed? Is there the proper depth of each gradation of
media? Expose the under drain system to check if the holes
or nozzles are clogged.
• The backwash and surface wash pumps should be checked
and lubricated according to the manufacturer's
recommendations.
• The surface wash equipment, Including nozzles, should be
checked periodically for free operation and proper position
over the media.
Disinfection:
• On a daily basis chlorinators should be inspected for
proper operation and leaks. The items to be checked
should include injector water supply pressure, injector
vacuum, chlorine supply pressure feed rate on roto-
meter tube.
• The chlorine residual should be checked and recorded.
• On a weekly basis check chlorinator feed rates through
the full range of its capacity, clean any filters, and check
operation of all valves.
• On a monthly basis, exercise all chlorine valves, inspect
ventilation, heating, and lighting equipment for proper
operation.
• Check the chlorinator vent line for obstructions
such as insect nests, inspect the vacuum system
for leaks, and perform other maintenance.
• Inspect all safety equipment for proper operation
including chlorine alarm system and the self-
contained breathing apparatus or gasmasks.