This study set out to quantify the contributions of
subsurface filtration (or underground passage) and
groundwater dilution to overall reductions/removals by
riverbank filtration (RBF). Samples were collected from
four RBF study sites that varied in terms of distance
between river sources and extraction wells, river water
quality, hydrology, well construction and pumping
rate, and subsurface material.
Samples were analyzed for removal of dissolved
organic carbon, total coliforms, aerobic spore-forming
bacteria, and virus indicators. Results indicated that
the relative contribution of each removal mechanism
was site-specific. Both groundwater dilution and subsurface
filtration appeared to be important
reduction/removal processes.
Within the United States, RBF is a relatively unfamiliar
drinking water treatment. The findings
presented here indicate that RBF can be effective as
both a primary treatment and a pretreatment process
and can significantly improve the quality of river water
in terms of particulates, organic precursors, and microbial
removals. Includes 24 references, tables, figures.