BASIC PRINCIPLES OF

PRE-TREATMENT SCHEME
IN WATER TREATMENT
SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION
PRETREATMENT
The feed water, depending on its source, may contain
various concentrations of suspended solids and dissolved
matter. Suspended solids may consist of inorganic particles,
colloids and biological debris such as microorganisms and
algae. Dissolved matter may consists of highly soluble salts,
such as chlorides, and sparingly soluble salts, such as
carbonates, sulfates, and silica. The different process for the
removal of various concentrations of suspended solids,
inorganic particles, colloids and biological debris is called
PRETREATMENT.
WHY PRETREATMENT REQUIRED?
For removal of the dissolved impurities from water
membrane system is required. Suspended particles may
settle on the membrane surface, thus blocking feed
channels and increasing friction losses (pressure drop)
across the system. soluble salts may precipitate from the
concentrate stream, create scale on the membrane surface,
and result in lower water permeability through the RO
membranes (flux decline)

WATER CHEMISTRY
WATER
CHEMICAL

PHYSICAL

BIOLOGICAL
Bacteria

SS

INORGANICS

Turbidity

ORGANICS

O&G
Colour
Odour

CATIONS

ANIONS

BOD
COD
TOC

Ca

Cl

Mg

SO4

Na
Fe

NO3
HCO3
F
Si

Algae

PRETREATMENT PROCESS
Depending on the raw water quality, the pretreatment
process may consists of all or some of the following
treatment steps:

Removal of large particles using a coarse strainer.

Water disinfection with chlorine.
Clarification with or without flocculation.
Clarification and hardness reduction using lime treatment.
Media filtration.
Reduction of alkalinity by pH adjustment.
Addition of scale inhibitor.
Reduction of free chlorine using sodium bisulfite or
activated carbon filters.
Water sterilization using UV radiation.
Final removal of suspended particles using cartridge filters.

Aerator

Alum Dosing

Poly Dosing

NaOCl Dosing

Stilling Chamber

Parshall Flume

Flash Mixer

Calrifier-1

Distribution Chamber
Calrifier-2

To Main Clarifier Water Storage Tank

Clear Water To Flash Mixer
Thickener

Sludge Pit
Sludge Transfer Pump

NaOCl Dosing

Centrifuge

Thickener
Sludge Sump
Centrifuge feed Pump

Solids Cake

Dewatering
Poly Dosing
Clear Water to Flash mixer

REMOVAL OF SUSPENDED PARTICLES

There are different methods for removal of suspended particles (TSS) from the
water before it enters the main treatment plant (DM/RO/etc)
1. Settling Systems
2. Filtration Systems
Settling Systems
1. Clarifier
2. Clarifloculators
3. Tube settlers
4. High Rate Solid Contact Clarifier
Filtration system

Pressure sand filters

Dual Media filters

Activated carbon filters

Iron Removal Filter

Micron cartridge filters

TSS AND TURBIDILY LIMIT FOR

MEMBRANE SYSTEM
The quality of the feed water is defined in terms of
concentration of suspended particles and saturation levels
of the sparingly soluble salts. The common indicators of
suspended particles used in the Water Treatment industry
are turbidity and Silt Density Index (SDI). The maximum
limits are: turbidity of 1 NTU and SDI of 4.
Continuous operation of membrane system with feed water
which has turbidity or SDI values near the limits of these
values may result in significant membrane fouling.
For long-term, reliable operation of the Membrane, the
average values of turbidity and SDI in the feed water should
not exceed 0.5 NTU and 2.5 SDI units, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF CLARIFIER
Clarifier will be solid contact reactor type with integral variable speed
impeller to internally recalculate sludge water at adjustable rate to
produce consistent water quality. The clarifier unit will be circular,
central feed type with reaction zone & clarification zone in R.C.C.
Bridge type arm rack mechanism will be provided for internal sludge
recirculation. The bottom of Clarifier will be sloped towards the center
& mechanically driven sludge scraper and collector shall be used to
remove the settled sludge down slopping bottom to center sludge area.
The sufficient detention time and area will provide to remove
suspended solid.
Underflow sludge from HRSCC, stilling chamber and chemical house
will be led to common sludge well. Sludge from HRSCC will be disposed
of by pump to mechanical sludge dewatering system.
Clarified water from HRSCC will be collected in clarified water tank by
gravity.

DOSING SYSTEM FOR PRETREATMENT

Coagulation Dosing system :The Water contains suspended

matters, colloidal silica & turbidity in varying proportion. A

coagulant like Ferric chloride, Alum or equivalent is dosed for
coagulation purpose. Due to effect of coagulant, heavy flocs
are formed which trap the minute turbid particles and
undissolved suspended particles which otherwise would have
passed through the filtering media. Thus coagulants aid in
better filtration. Dosage rate of Coagulant Dosing is decided
after conducting Jar test at site.

Flocculation Dosing system : Polyelectrolyte helps in better

Flocculation due to its special characteristic of absorbing

micron size particle and to form a heavy floc. Purpose of
providing polyelectrolyte dosing after coagulant dosing is to
achieve better Filtration to make effluent as clear as possible.

 Chlorination Dosing system :Since the water may contain

organics, living micro organism and iron which are most

undesirable as it may cause iron fouling, bio-organic fouling
in resins and RO membranes.To oxidize the iron, disinfect
the raw water and to break the organics, sodium
hypochlorite solution dosed in the range of 2.0 - 3.0 ppm.
It forms hypochlorous acid & liberates free chlorine which
oxidizes the divalent Fe ions, kills micro organisms and
breaks long chain polymers of organics.

De-chlorination Dosing system : Free chlorine if present in

the water may prove to be injurious to the RO membranes.

Hence it is very essential to De-chlorinate the water in the
pretreatment of RO System.

FILTRATION SYSTEM
Filtration of water for removal of suspended impurities is a integral step in the treatment
scheme for various application. Filtration is also an important pretreatment step for
softeners, demineralization and reverse osmosis system. For protecting the ion exchange
resin, cartridge filter & reverse osmosis membrane due to suspended impurities present in
water & system effectiveness for such kind of pretreatment.
PSF (Pressure Sand Filter) : Used for removal of suspended particles & SDI. The mixed
sand & different grade of pebbles is used for this filtration. PSF requires periodic
backwashing to eliminate accumulate suspended matters and regrade the filter bed. When
the filter bed losses the capacity to remove the suspended particles, the bed must be
require backwashing. The end product is clean water with no objectionable suspended
matter.
Velocity (m3/m2/hr): 7.5 12

Media : Graded sand +Pebbles

DMF (Dual Media Filter) : This system is used for Higher suspended matters, taste, and
odor, . The end product is clean water with no objectionable taste & suspended matters.
Velocity (m3/m2/hr): 12 20 Media : Graded sand +Pebbles+ Activated carbon
ACF (Activated Carbon Filter): Used for removal of taste, odor & color. Activated carbon
used in filteration is an excellent filteration medium with efficient absorption characteristic.
The most common application is removal of undesirable taste & odor present in chlorination
water supplies. The end product is clean water with no objectionable taste. Activated
carbon filter requires periodic backwashing to eliminate accumulated suspended matters
and regrade the filter bed. When the filter bed losses the capacity to remove taste, odor, &
chlorine the bed must be replaced. This is also used for a chlorination feed system for
removal of oxidized irons.
Velocity (m3/m2/hr): 15 20 Media : Graded sand +Pebbles+ Activated carbon

IRF (Iron removal Filter) : Used for Iron removal & suspended
particles . The mixed sand & different grade of pebbles + MnO2 is
used for this filtration.
Velocity (m3/m2/hr): 12 20 Media : Graded sand +Pebbles+
MnO2
Micron Cartridge Filter :
The objective of providing the Micron Cartridge Filter is to
eliminate the particles from the feed hereby introduced into the
Membrane System. The cartridge holds the particles having the
size more than that of the recommended size of micron, hereby
allowing the remaining. Since, the size of particles moving
through the MCF is very small or can be said of micron size,
hence any particles above the size of that will be eliminated.

SOME WATER PROBLEMS, CAUSES AND CURES

PROBLEM SYMPTOM

CAUSE

TREATMENT

Hardness

Soap curd & lime scum

in bathy, white scale in
pipes

Excessive
magnesium &
calcium salts

Water softener (cationic

ion exchanger)

Grassy or musty

Organic matter

Activated carbon

Chlorine

Excessive
chlorination

Activated carbon

Rotten egg

Hydrogen sulfide

Manganese greensand,
chlorination, aeration

Sulfate bacteria

Disinfect pipe system

Chemical (phenol)

Industrial waste
seeping into
water supply

Stop seepage, use

activated carbon

Salty or brackish

High sodium or
magnesium
content

Cation/anion exchange,
reverse osmosis,
distillation

Metallic

Low pH

Acid neutralization

High iron content

Oxidation & filtration

Odor

Taste

SOME WATER PROBLEMS, CAUSES AND CURES

PROBLEM

SYMPTOM

CAUSE

TREATMENT

Turbidity

Mud, silt & clay

Suspended matter in
water supply

Filtration

Acid water

Green stains on
plumbing fixtures

Low pH reacting with

copper & brass
piping, fittings

Acid neutralization

Strains dishes and

laundry

Dissolved iron

Oxidation and filtration

Red sediment
when water is left
standing

Precipitated iron

Filtration

Red color even

after standing for
24 hours

Colloidal iron

Oxidation & filtration

No color, taste or
odor signs.
Possible health
effects

Industrial waste
pollution, corrosion
products

Softening, deionization,
reverse osmosis

Red water

Heavy metals

SOME WATER PROBLEMS, CAUSES AND CURES

PROBLEM

SYMPTOM

CAUSE

TREATMENT

Heavy
metals

No color, taste or
odor signs.
Possible health
effects

Industrial waste
pollution, corrosion
products

Softening,
deionization, reverse
osmosis

Nitrates

No color, taste or
odor signs. May
be a health
hazard for infants

Human or animal
waste and fertilizers
seeping into water
supply

Anionic ion exchange,

reverse osmosis,
distillation,
deionization

Pesticides
and
Herbicides

Chemical taste

Excessive
agricultural spray
applications

Activated carbon

THANK YOU