Current Issues -- Integrating Low-Pressure Membranes into Water Treatment Plants (PDF)

The ing and integration water ultrafiltration treatment construction of low-pressure (UF) facilities membranes has been and microfiltration new into water both treatexist(MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) membranes into both existing water treatment facilities and new water treatment plant construction has been rapidly gaining favor worldwide (AWWA, 2005). Contributing factors include the efficacy of these membranes in removing cysts and their consistent ability to produce low-turbidity product water despite variations in source water quality. One example of a decision to incorporate MF/UF technology into existing water treatment facilities is in Minnesota, where the Minneapolis Water Works has replaced aging granular media filters with UF at its 70mgd (265-ML/d) Columbia Heights Filtration Plant. Another example is in California, where the Modesto Irrigation District is doubling capacity from 36 to 72 mgd (136 to 273 ML/d) by adding membranes in parallel with existing granular media filters while retaining the option to convert the entire plant to membranes in the future.