This paper presents the results of a case study on the modifications applied in a direct descending filtration water treatment system. The objective was to improve its performance according to the source water quality, characterized by low turbidity and apparent color levels, but high concentration of phytoplankton. Jar test procedures preceded the tests conducted in a small scale experiment, with or without a pre-flocculation step in expanded granular media. Aluminium sulfate and poly aluminium chloride were both tested as coagulant elements, and anthracite and sand or only anthracite were tested as the filtering media. The use of a large grain size filtering media with a poly aluminium chloride pre-flocculation step caused the washwater volume to reduce from 23.8% to 5.5%. This resulted in a better water quality outcome measured in apparent color, turbidity and residual aluminium concentrations.
Direct filtration; pre-flocculation; granular flocculator; water treatment
