CHARACTERIZATION OF FILTER BACKWASH WATER FROM A DIRECT FILTRATION WATER TREATMENT PLANT
Direct filtration. DWTP residual stream. Filter backwash water. Recirculation. Reuse. Sedimentation. lagoon.
Drinking Water Treatment Plants generate residual streams that claim for an efficient management, in a way that it’s given proper treatment and destination, both accordingly to the present regulatory instruments, bringing solutions that generate the least possible impacts for the environment and human health. In this context, there is a noticeable gap regarding studies that correlate eventual DWTP residual streams with its operational parameters. Thus, the accomplishment of a qualitative and quantitative characterization for the residual stream generated by a full-scale direct filtration DWTP allows the gathered results and subsequent generated data to be reference to correlated studies about residuals generation in sceneries with such technical, technological and climatic similarities. The study shows and interprets the physicalchemical analysis results from the generated residual stream at the qualitative characterization section, such as translates the forthcoming implications based on the composition of thickened sludge layer samples from the bottom of a sedimentation lagoon, operated for decades inside the DWTP facilities. The quantitative characterization data supplies the qualitative one and amplifies the various possibilities for evaluation of technical feasibility of the steps involved in the DWTP residual stream generation and treatment. The current research demonstrates through the qualiquantitative characterization that it’s possible to correlate physical-chemical parameters from generated residuals to the DWTP operational parameters, extending comprehension of the evaluated scenario and proposing adjustments and improvements that could bring technical, financial, sanitary and environmental gains and benefits. In this respect, the research reveals the greatest contribution that such a proposal of characterization might bring as valuable scientific material for more specific upcoming studies.