对于四项试点研究中的每一项，都进行了初步试点测试，以确定模拟现有或计划的全面处理条件的处理条件，或确定浊度和颗粒去除的最佳处理条件。一旦选择了种子过滤器运行的处理条件，在四个中试工厂中的每一个都进行了一系列控制实验（不添加化学物质，不使用过滤介质），以确定由于沉淀或池壁粘附等因素导致的中试工厂过程中的有机物、浊度和颗粒损失。此外，为了评估预处理化学添加剂对去除有机物、浊度和颗粒物的重要性，在不添加化学添加剂的情况下，在适当的过滤介质中进行了一些种子过滤器运行。在对照试验之后，在四个中试工厂中的每一个进行了种子过滤器运行。 每个对照试验和种子过滤试验进行三次重复试验。采用免疫荧光分析（IFA）技术对微小隐孢子虫卵囊和小鼠贾第虫囊肿进行计数。在每个中试工厂，采用连续进料法将微生物添加到原水中。在过滤器运行的成熟、稳定运行和突破阶段，连续有机物进料提供了对过滤器流出物进行取样的能力。

For each of the four pilot studies, initial pilot testing was conducted to identify treatment conditions which simulated either existing or planned full-scale treatment conditions, or to identify treatment conditions optimum for turbidity and particle removal. Once the treatment conditions for seeded filter runs were selected, a series of control experiments (no chemical addition, no filter media) was conducted at each of the four pilot plants in order to determine losses of organisms, turbidity and particles through the pilot plant processes due to factors such as sedimentation or adherence to basin walls. Further, some seeded filter runs were conducted without chemical addition but with filter media in place, in order to evaluate the importance of pretreatment chemical addition on removal of organisms, turbidity and particles. Following the control experiments, seeded filter runs were conducted at each of the four pilot plants. Three replicate experiments were conducted for each control experiment and seeded filter run. An immunofluorescence assay (IFA) technique was used to enumerate Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts and Giardia muris cysts. A continuous feed method was used to add the organisms into the raw water at each pilot plant. Continuous organism feed provided the ability to sample the filter effluent during the maturation, stable operation and breakthrough phases of the filter run.