TREATMENT OF DRINKING WATER RESIDUALS:COMPARING SEDIMENTATION AND DISSOLVED AIR FLOTATION PERFORMANCE WITH OPTIMAL CATION RATIOS

This study evaluates the significance of optimising Monovalent: Divalent cation balance as a potential mechanism for improving the treatment of Combined Filter Backwash Water (CFBWW) by sedimentation or Dissolved Air Flottation (DAF) process. Data suggested that turbidity removal could be improved by greater than 80% by optimising M:D ratios for sedimentation. Practically, these results indicate that for utilities challenged by effluent disposal laws or recycling requirements, their existing residual treatment processes could be optimised by adjusting chemical dosages rather than investing in new unit operations.