1 Full-Scale Testing of Innovative High Rate Filter Media for Plant Expansion Bob Raczko, P.E. United Water

2 UWMX WTP Location: Manalapan, NJ Size: 5 mgd (790 m 3 /hr), but needs to be expanded to 8 mgd (1,260 m 3 /hr) to meet increasing water demands within next several years Plant Processes: -Coagulation/flocculation/two-stage sedimentation/filtration/disinfection/finished storage/finished water pumping -Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) added to second stage sedimentation for seasonal taste and odor (T&O) control Filters currently are major limiting step in process: -6 filters (5 with 1 out of service for backwashing) operate at a nominal rate of 3 gpm/sf (7.3 m/hr) -Based on previous Filtralite testing at Haworth, NJDEP will allow testing up to 7 gpm/sf (17 m/hr) -Also evaluating larger anthracite/sand media, NJDEP will allow testing up to 5 gpm/sf (12 m/hr) If successful, new media will allow filtration capacity to be expanded without increasing the number of filters, which will significantly reduce capital expenditures

3 HAWORTH WTP – PREVIOUS PILOT TESTING Compared: Conventional anthracite/sand Filtralite – expanded clay media: – Larger size media – Larger macropore size for solids capture Findings: Filtralite achieved comparable performance at 7.5 gpm/sf compared to anthracite/sand at 5 gpm/sf Filtralite achieved longer filter runs, less headloss development

4 UWMX WTP DEMONSTRATION TESTING Received approval from NJDEP to modify two filters for demonstration test: New underdrains Provide additional depth for both anthracite/sand and Filtralite medias Received approval from NJDEP to conduct demonstration test: Anthracite/sand – test up to 5 gpm/sf Filtralite – test up to 7 gpm/sf Evaluating: – Turbidity – Particle count – Headloss development – Volume Treated, Run Time

5 Parameter Filter 4 Existing Filter 5 Filtralite Filter 6 Anthracite/Sand Top Layer12” No. 1 anthracite21” 2.0 mm Filtralite 21” mm anthracite Bottom Layer 12” mm sand 10” 1.0 mm Filtralite 10” mm sand Support Gravel 17” (graded)10” pea gravel FILTER MEDIA SPECIFICATIONS

6 EXISTING MEDIA AND UNDERDRAINS

7 NEW ANTHRACITE/SAND MEDIA AND UNDERDRAIN

8 FILTRALITE MEDIA AND UNDERDRAIN

9 NEW UNDERDRAIN - NOZZLES

10 TESTING TO DATE Initial Testing (11/10/12 – 1/12/13): – Target flow ~ 1 mgd – Filter 5 (Filtralite) and Filter 6 (new A/S) – premature turbidity/particle breakthrough, believed to be caused by PAC addition in second clarifier; Filter 4 (existing filter) is fine – Added PACl as filter aid – Improved turbidity/particle performance – Initially plant operated 16 hr/day (low demands); switched to 24/7 operation on 1/6 (shut down on weekends); turbidity/particle performance more stable; Filter 6 more stable than Filter 5 1/13/13 – 1/24/13: – Increased Filter 5, Filter 6 in steps: 1.2 mgd, 1.4 mgd, 1.5 mgd, 1.6 mgd – PACl filter aid continued – Maintained turbidity/particle performance; shorter filter runs (as expected); Filter 6 more stable than Filter 5 Testing stopped on 1/25/13: – High TDS in raw water (road salting) – Plant switched to Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) wells

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14 INITIAL TESTING OBSERVATIONS Filter 5 (Filtralite): Lowest Headloss Development Can operate at higher flowrates Concern with stability of turbidity/particle performance Filter 6 (new anthracite/sand): Lower headloss development than Filter 4 (existing media) Can operate at higher flowrates More stable turbidity/particle performance than Filter 5 (Filtralite)

15 TESTING 4/22/13 – 9/14/13 Longer term (two - three week) operation at each flowrate Goal is to establish acceptable performance at flowrate of mgd in order to be able to high rate filters and avoid need to provide additional filters Eliminating need for additional filters would save approx. $3 million in capital costs Also evaluate performance w/o filter aid (is media seasoned?)

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24 OBSERVATIONS 4/22/13 – 9/14/13 Medias appear to be seasoned (generally operate without filter aid) Filter 5 (Filtralite): Lowest Headloss Development Can operate at higher flowrates Concern with stability of turbidity/particle performance; susceptible to changes (hydraulic, water quality), especially near end of run Filter 6 (new anthracite/sand): Lower headloss development than Filter 4 (existing media) Can operate at higher flowrates More stable turbidity/particle performance than Filter 5 (Filtralite)

25 FUTURE WORK Continue testing at higher rates (currently at 1.4 mgd) Plant is currently on a blend of surface water and ASR water because of low streamflow and need to maintain passing flow. This results in high run times and volumes treated, which are not representative. Will evaluate higher flowrates when plant is back on full surface water (no ASR) Consider addition of small layer of sand (about 4 inches) to Filter 5 (Filtralite) to see if that improves stability of turbidity/particle performance

26 THANK YOU! Any Questions?

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