Evaluating ‎Filters Operation after Backwash by Examining Turbidity Decrease and Counting Zooplanktons in Isfahan Water Treatment Plant

Abstract

One of the reasons for poor performance of filters is their being backwashed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate filtration process and sand filters operation after being backwashed through examining turbidity and zooplanktons in Esfahan water treatment plant. This study was conducted during 4 months in the sand filters (phase 1 & 2) of the treatment plant. Turbidity and microscopic counting were studied to assess the performance after filtration. The average for turbidity variations and nematodes & rotifers counting were evaluated in different times after backwash. Turbidity break point and zooplanktons reduction occurred after 15-20 minutes of backwash. The number of nematodes and rotifers in phase 1 after 10 minutes increased respectively by 13 and 12 numbers per liter and within 20 minutes, it reduced to 7 and 9 numbers, respectively. Also after 20 minutes in phase 2, the number of nematodes and rotifers decreased respectively by 8 and 6 per liter. This changes were significant based on t-test (p

Keywords

• Isfahan Water Treatment Plant
• Backwash
• Filtration
• Turbidity
• Zooplanktons