Effectives of Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration for removal of organic carbon at Portage la Prairie water treatment plant

There are about 180 public water treatment plants in Manitoba relying on surface water with high organic content as their source of supply. Organic carbon reacts with disinfecting chlorine forming potentially carcinogenic disinfection byproducts. Portage la Prairie water treatment plant is an example of typical Manitoba lime/soda water treatment plants facing the challenge of removal of organic carbon. Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filters are used at the plant to achieve this goal. The plant is experiencing frequent filter clogging. This research investigates the reasons of this clogging as well as possibility of modifying the operation of some unit processes at the plant to improve filtration. Extending the filter runs not only offers improvement in post filtered water quality but also significant water and energy savings for the water treatment plant.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Beata Gorczyca

Student:

Maryam Hoozhyar

Partner:

Kelly Braden

Discipline:

Engineering - civil

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

University of Manitoba