The David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility in
Tampa, Florida, recently added ozonation and biologically
activated carbon filtration and made additional
modifications to its existing conventional treatment
process. The facility treats water that has relatively
high organic matter content, especially during high-rainfall
seasons. After startup, unexpectedly low
monochloramine formation efficiency and rapid
decay of monochloramine residual in treated waters
were observed. Similar problems associated with the
rapid decay of residual disinfectant have been
reported by other utilities.
By changing the sequence of free chlorine and
ammonia injection and providing sufficient mixing and
reaction time for free chlorine, the authors were able to
increase monochloramine formation efficiency. Filter
backwashing was also modified to successfully enhance
filter performance and stabilize monochloramine in
treated waters.
These findings and proposed solutions could be useful
for many utilities experiencing similar problems or considering
conversion to monochloramine. The study methods
and results provided here could be used as a benchmark
for other utilities to solve similar problems. Includes 35 references, tables, figures.