Course: BFM 203 Water Treatment and Control

Lecture

(8/13)

Treatment Process Changes

Water quality changes may be due to using alternate sources, combining sources, reservoir turnovers, or excessive runoff conditions. Jar test source water before expected or as unexpected changes occur for most effective chemical dosing. As flow rates and water quality change, utilities must make a number of adjustments as noted in the following list.

- Adjust chemical feed rates
- Change filtration rate
- Perform jar tests
- Observe floc formation and settling characteristics
- Monitor process performance
- Collect process water quality samples
- Visually inspect overall process conditions
- Records and Reports

Many records and reports are created and maintained by a water utility, including physical records that describe the water treatment plan physical facilities and equipment as well as performance records that describe the operation of the water treatment plant and provide operations with historical data that may be required by regulatory agencies and that will benefit future operations.

To ensure that raw water supply has not been contaminated with toxic chemicals, an ongoing biological test is maintained. In the photo below, sensitive trout reside in the tank with a constant flow of plant influent water.

Photo courtesy of RRCC Water Quality Management Program.