Assessment of Auxiliary Backwash Methods for Rapid Sand Filters

An audit was performed in 1996 and 1998 at GCWW;s Richard Miller Treatment Plant (RMTP) to insure compliance with all current and proposed state and federal maximum contaminant levels. During the audit, training in filter profiling, including coring and floc retention analysis, was provided. Through these techniques, GCWW determined that the filter media was not getting effectively cleaned. Auxiliary backwash was recommended, but no experimental protocol was available to choose among available options. Four filters at RMTP were rebuilt for this study. New Leopold dual parallel lateral type block underdrains with integral media support (IMS) caps were installed. The sand media was completely replaced. Two filters were outfitted with air scour, one with surface wash and one was rebuilt with no auxiliary wash. The backwash procedures were then optimized and standardized before initiating the study. Turbidity and microbial testing were performed at various time intervals throughout the filter run to characterize the quality of the filter effluent. The magnitude and duration of the initial solids breakthrough were determined by the use of continuous turbidimeters and a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. Filter cores and floc retention analyses were used to determine the filter media cleanliness.