Comparitive Analysis of Turbidity and Organics Removal in Biological Activated Carbon and Anthracite-Sand Filters in the Moorhead Water Treatment Plant

• Main Author: von Hagen, Emily
• Format: Others
• Published: North Dakota State University 2021
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10365/31727

The source water for the Moorhead Water Treatment Plant (MWTP) exhibits high concentrations of total organic carbon (TOC) throughout the year and seasonal taste and odor (T&O) events. To prevent biological regrowth in the distribution system there is a need to improve organics removal in the existing biological anthracite-sand filters, especially during cold water conditions when a significant decrease in removal efficiencies are observed. Three types of granular activated carbon (GAC) were selected for a pilot study to evaluate the potential of enhanced organics and T&O removal in biological activated carbon (BAC) filters compared to anthracite-sand. Turbidity removal was also evaluated to ensure regulatory requirements could be met with BAC filters. The overall performance of the BAC filters demonstrated a significant improvement over anthracite-sand. The bituminous coal-based GACs outperformed the coconut-based GAC and exhibited surface characteristics which may have a significant impact on the removal of organics, T&O, and turbidity.