Representation of water works purification system

Schematic diagram of laboratory
scale biological filter

Project Summary:
Biological filtration has been used in drinking water treatment facilities to remove biodegradable organic matter (BOM) and other inorganic components. In many cases, biological filtration is employed as a means of pre-treating water to make it biological stable prior to subsequent physical/chemical treatment and disinfections. It is likely that the biological filter will be the first element in a water treatment system to face biological agents once the water supply systems, such as river and groundwater, are contaminated. Recently, a great deal of research has been conducted to evaluate biological filtration for drinking water treatment.

After the sad event of September 11, many people are concerned about the vulnerability of our water system to deliberate attack or sabotage. Unfortunately, the capacity of our water system to handle such events has not received sufficient attention in the past.

The overall goal of this research is to study in effectiveness of biological filtration in drinking water treatment process in removal of biological threat agents.

Three model organisms, Bacillus subtilus, E.coli and Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts are tested in laboratory scale biological filters.
The following issues are being addressed:
(1) The fate of Bacillus subtilus, E.coli and Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in laboratory scale biological filter;
(2) The impact of such biological threats on other treatment process (removal of BOM and inorganic compounds);
(3) The effects of operation parameters, such as dissolved oxygen, nutrient levels, carbon sources on the effectiveness of biological agents removal;
(4) The potential of using variations of operating parameters as early warnings of biological threat events.