A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the treatment processes for a proposed 40.5 million
gallons per day water treatment plant for the Turlock Irrigation District in Turlock, California
from August 2006 to April 2007. The pilot plant consisted of two process trains. The first
consisted of a static mixer, flocculator, and plate settler, followed by three microfiltration/
ultrafiltration (MF/UF) systems; the second was reserved for independent high-rate
clarification (HRC) suppliers to pilot their proprietary systems. Two dissolved air flotation
manufacturers and one ballasted flocculation manufacturer were piloted and evaluated on their
performance.
The HRC systems were evaluated based on an assessment of their ability to treat the surface
water to meet clarified water quality objectives. HRC clarified water was also qualitatively
assessed to evaluate its fouling potential of membrane systems, a proposed downstream process
for the full scale facility. The comparison was made based on conventional water quality parameters,
such as turbidity, total organic carbon (TOC), UVA 254 absorbance, color, and
potential reduction of fouling potential to downstream microfiltration membranes.
The fouling potential of the clarified effluent was quantified based on several factors including
the residual aluminum and iron concentrations, TOC concentrations, UV-254 absorbance, and
the TSS concentrations. In addition to these water quality parameters, modified silt density
index (SDI) tests were run on the clarified effluents and the raw water in an attempt to compare
the fouling rates. Includes tables, figures.