Whitley Burchett

Evaluation of Synthetic-Medium Filtration, Granular-Media
Filtration and Microfiltration: A Case Study

(Presented at the California Water Environment Association Annual Conference
Sacramento, CA, April 2000)

Paul Friedlander: Whitley, Burchett & Associates
Bert Michalczyk: Dublin San Ramon Services District
Dave Requa: Dublin San Ramon Services District
Lisa Toth: DSRSD-EBMUD Recycled Water Authority (DERWA)

ABSTRACT

Filtration of secondary effluent is a critical process in producing tertiary recycled water to meet California wastewater reclamation requirements and protect public health. The primary purpose of filtration in the treatment train is to make the subsequent disinfection process as effective as possible. This paper presents the evaluation of filtration alternatives for a 16 mgd recycled water irrigation project in Dublin and San Ramon Valley. In addition to granular-media filtration, the study considered new and emerging filtration technologies including microfiltration and a synthetic-medium filter, known as the fuzzy filter. Significant conclusions are drawn concerning rapidly changing filtration technologies, their costs compared with granular-media filtration, and the regulatory implications of using new and emerging technologies for wastewater reclamation.