作为比林斯市水处理厂实施计算机化水质监测系统的一部分，对现有过滤器的颗粒物和浊度去除性能进行了评估。监控系统包括多个在线仪器，用于连续测量和记录关键水质参数，包括:颗粒计数、浊度、pH值、水温和水流。还进行了额外的实验室测试，以补充在线仪器，包括隐孢子虫和贾第虫的定期分析。迄今为止收集的数据为过滤器的运行特性和识别需要解决的治疗缺陷提供了新的见解。这些调查主要关注与比林斯水处理厂（WTP）的整体过滤器性能相关的以下问题: 优化当前过滤器操作，以提供最大的颗粒去除效率，尤其是贾第虫和隐孢子虫大小的颗粒；比较过滤介质界面处的过滤操作期间的颗粒计数和浊度与过滤流出物，以建立可用于确定可接受的过滤器运行长度的任何相关性；发展贾第虫与隐孢子虫之间的关系，通过植物去除隐孢子虫并减少颗粒数量；明矾废水与氯化铁废水作为一级混凝剂时对过滤器性能的评估；评估在过滤器启动期间，向过滤器反冲洗水中添加聚合物以降低浊度和颗粒数增加的效益；比较在线和实验室颗粒计数器的监测结果，以确定任何差异或不一致； 以及评估样品储存对粒子计数器结果的影响，以确定对收集用于粒子计数的样品进行延迟实验室分析是否可行。此外，作为过滤器性能评估的一部分，工厂设施允许进行大量处理选择，包括使用常规或直接过滤处理去除原水供应中的浊度。

As part of the implementation of the computerized water quality monitoring system at the City of Billings Water Treatment Plant, the existing filter performance was evaluated for removal of particles and turbidity. The monitoring system includes several on-line instruments to continuously measure and record key water quality parameters, including: particle counts, turbidity, pH, water temperature, and streaming current. Additional laboratory testing was also being conducted to supplement the online instruments, including periodic analysis for Cryptosporidium and Giardia. The data collected to date have provided new insights into the operational characteristics of the filters and identification of treatment deficiencies that need to be addressed. These investigations focused on the following issues related to the overall filter performance of the Billings Water Treatment Plant (WTP): Optimization of the current filter operation to provide maximum particle removal effectiveness, particularly for Giardia and Cryptosporidium sized particles; Comparison of particle counts and turbidity during filter operation at filter media interface versus filter effluent to establish any correlations that could be utilized to establish acceptable filter run lengths; Development of a relationship between Giardia and Cryptosporidium removal and particle count reduction through the plant; Evaluation of the effluent of alum versus ferric chloride on filter performance when used as the primary coagulant chemical; Evaluation of the benefits of using polymer addition to the filter backwash water to reduce turbidity and particle count increases during filter startup; Comparison of monitoring results of online versus laboratory particle counters to identify any differences or inconsistencies; and Evaluation of the effect of sample storage on particle counter results, to determine if it is practical to conduct delayed lab analyses on samples collected for particle counting. In addition, the plant facilities allow a number of treatment options that were investigated as part of the filter performance evaluation, including use of conventional or direct filtration treatment to remove turbidity from the raw water supply.