Water Treatment Plant Performance Evaluations and Operations

DR. JOHN T. O'CONNOR, PE, is the CEO of H2O'C Engineering in Columbia, Missouri (www.h2oc.com). He earned his BS in civil engineering from The Cooper Union and his doctorate in engineering from The Johns Hopkins University. He has also served as the chief of the Illinois State Water Survey and as chairman of the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. O'Connor has authored over 100 technical publications related to water quality and treatment. TOM O'CONNOR, PE, is a principal of H2O'C Engineering in Columbia, Missouri (www.h2oc.com). He earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and a master's in business administration from the University of Missouri; is an expert in environmental and energy issues; and specializes in the design, evaluation, optimization, and modeling of water and wastewater systems. RICK TWAIT earned a bachelor's degree in environmental science from Bradley University and is Superintendent of Water Purification at the Bloomington, Illinois, Water Treatment Plant. He is an aquatic biologist, limnologist, and former researcher at the Illinois State Water Survey.

• Preface ix1 Microscopic Particle Analysis 1Bloomington Water Sources and Treatment Plant Processes 3Number of Bacterial Cells in Natural and Treated Waters 11Results of Microscopic Enumeration 11Comparative Evaluation of Lime Softener/Clarifiers 14Effect of Backwash on Filter Performance 14Electronic Particle Counting for Evaluation of Filter Performance 18Photomicrographs Using Epifluorescence Microscopy 19Light Microscopy 20References 202 Plant Process Evaluations 23Particles Observed at Various Water Treatment Stages 23Improving Filter Performance Following Backwash 26References 323 Lime Softening 33Plant Performance Evaluations 33Removal of Organic Matter 40Reference 404 Acidification Protocol 41Regulation of Turbidity as a Microbiological Surrogate 41Advanced Analytical Methods for Evaluation of Water Treatment Plant Performance 42Formation of Particles During Treatment 44Implications for Assessment of Water Treatment Plant Process Efficiency 46Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule 46Acidification 47Acidification Protocol 50Alternate Exceedance Levels 51References 515 Filter Operations 53Particle Removal During Filtration 53The Bloomington Filters 53Filter Operations 57Granular Activated Carbon Performance and Characteristics 60Filter Media Size Distribution 64Microbial Growth on Filter Media 68Filter Effluent: Calcium Carbonate Post-Precipitation 70Filter Washing 71Procedure for Evaluating Biological Activity on Filter Media 73Recommended Testing of Auxiliary Air Scour 73References 746 Grit Removal 75Gritting 76ClariCone Settling Velocities Versus Applied Flow 81Grit Removal Modification 83Recarbonation Following Slurry Blanket Upset 85Particle Size Analysis: Effect of Gritting 87Post Grit 88pH and Conductivity 89Effect of Grit Removal on Blanket Stability 91Revised Grit Removal Protocol 917 Lime Softener Performance Enhancements 95Modified Lime Slurry Feed Points 95Evaluation of Grit Removal Process 97Reduction in Blanket Upsets Lime Overfeeds and Carbon Dioxide Requirements 100Recarbonation Basins: Post-Precipitation Particle Size Analysis 100Results of the Evaluation of the Gritting Process 102Evaluation of the Inline Degritter 1038 Lime Softener Operational Enhancements 107Treatment Chemistry 108Flow Rates to ClariCones 108Energy Input to Impart Spiral Flow 109Modification of Kinetic Energy Input 110Effect of Gritting on Slurry Blanket 111Effect of Blowdown on Sludge Blanket 112Frequency of Intense Cleaning 112Maintenance of Lime Delivery System 1149 Granular Activated Carbon 117Benefits of Granular Activated Carbon 117Costs of Carbon 118Reference 12010 Plant Operations Manual 121Development of Operations Manual and Guidelines Documents 121Bloomington Water Supply History 121Water Treatment Plant Processes 128Laboratory Facilities 151Shop Facilities 152Operator’s Laboratory 154Communications Between Operators and Operational Continuity 154Future Development of Operational Guidelines 155Reference 15511 Taste-and-Odor Control 157Nutrient Sources and Organism Growth 158Laboratory Capabilities for Assessing Lake and Treated Water Quality 159Destratification 162Lake Source Water Protection 163Odor Control: Operating Procedures and Processes 164Finished Water Taste and Odor Monitoring 165Operational Alternatives 165Evaluation of Potential for Modified or Enhanced Treatment Process 165Biodegradation: Bloomington’s Water Treatment Plant Operations Manual 169Microscopic Examination and Description of Micrographs 170Taste and Odor Remission and PAC Studies 171Dominant Organisms in Evergreen Lake 172Potential Future Trials 172References 17212 GAC Adsorption and Microbial Degradation 175Removal of Geosmin on GAC 175Removal of Geosmin Using Ozonated Air 181Lake Water Monitoring for Geosmin and MIB 183Follow-up Study of Temperature Effects 186Ultraviolet Light plus Hydrogen Peroxide 187Early Detection and Control of Impending Taste-and-Odor Episodes at Evergreen Lake 189Implications for Plant Operational Control 190Appendix A: Procedures for Total Bacterial Cell Count by Epifluorescence Microscopy 193Appendix B: Potential Studies Involving Microscopic Particle Analysis: Particle Identification Enumeration and Sizing 199Appendix C: Development of Operator Guidelines 203Index 235