Methodology for Evaluating and Monitoring of Waterworks Performance Efficiency —Part 1: Methods and Testing Procedures

Pavel Polasek

Water and Wastewater Treatment Consultant, Erasmusrand, South Africa.

DOI: 10.4236/aces.2014.42024                

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology for evaluating the water purification process efficiency attained by 1) jar tests, which are commonly used to determine the treatability of water, and 2) waterworks performance in different phases of the purification process as well as in its entirety. This methodology provides an important tool for the following: 1) determination of optimised reaction conditions under which water is treatable to its best attainable quality; 2) evaluation of the purification process efficiency attained by waterworks during different periods and under different operational conditions; 3) comparisons of performance efficiency of different waterworks; and 4) comprehensive commissioning of waterworks and identification of bottlenecks if any exist in process and plant design. This paper describes procedures for pre-processing of water samples to be analysed as well as mathematical formulas for processing of the results obtained. A few examples of the practical application of the methodology are included and the potential to obtain the optimization of waterworks’ purification processes is herein illustrated.

Keywords

Water Purification Efficiency, Degree of Destabilisation, Degree of Aggregation, Test of Aggregation, Test of Sedimentation, Attained and Attainable Separation Efficiency

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Hereit, F., Mutl, S. and Vagner, A. (1977) Evaluation of Waterworks Operation Czech). J. Vodni hospodarstvi—Rada B, 27, 4, 80-86.
[2]	Polasek, P. (1980) Methods and Testing Procedures for Monitoring and Evaluating Waterworks Performance. International Conference SAFIL, Johannesburg.
[3]	Mutl, S. and Polasek P. (2002) Particle Sizes and Particle Size-Fraction Distribution in Water Treatment. Conference IWA, Poster Paper, Melbourne.
[4]	Polasek, P. (2011) Functional Status Quo Assessment Report on Enqcobo WTW—W, Chris Hani District Municipality. Development Bank of Southern Africa, Pretoria
[5]	Polasek, P. and Mutl, S. (1995) Guidelines to Coagulation and Flocculation for Surface Waters: Volume 2: Evaluation of Treatment Process Efficiency of Different Waterworks—Case Studies. PPA, Johannesburg.
[6]	Polasek, P. and van Duuren, F.A. (1981) The Performance Results from the Operation of High Rate Clarifiers at Bethlehem Municipal Waterworks. International Conference Water Industry’81, Brighton, June 1981.
[7]	Polasek, P. and Mutl, S. (1995) Guidelines to Coagulation and Flocculation for Surface Waters: Volume 1: Design Principles for Coagulation and Flocculation Systems. PPA, Johannesburg.
[8]	Polasek, P. and Mutl, S. (2005) Optimisation of Reaction Conditions of Particle Aggregation in Water Purification—Back to Basics. Water SA, 31, 61-72.
[9]	Polasek, P. and Mutl, S. (2002) Cationic Polymers in Water Treatment. Part 1: Treatability of Water with Cationic Polymers. Water SA, 28, 69-82.
[10]	Polasek, P. (2014) Significance and Determination of Portion of Non-Separable Particles of Impurities in Water Purification. Water SA, 40, 89-94.
[11]	Muller, G. and Neuhaus, C. (1952) Zur Frage der Bemessung von Regenuberfallen bei Entwasserungsnetzen u. Klarananlagen. Gensundheits-Ingenieur, 7/8, 105.
[12]	Cizek, P., Herel, F. and Konicek, Z. (1970) Sewerage and Purification of Waste Waters (in Czech). SNTL Praha, Nakladatelstvo ALFA n.p., Bratislava.
[13]	Hereit, F., Mutl, S., Vagner, V., Balek, M., Kucera, J. and Prokopova, L. (1978) Evaluation of Formation and Separation of Suspension in the Plzen and Znojmo Waterworks (in Czech). MLVH CSR, Methodical information No. 12, Praha.
[14]	Polasek, P. (1979) The Significance of the Root Mean Square Velocity Gradient and Its Calculations in Devices for Water Treatment. Water SA, 5, 196-207.
[15]	Polasek, P. and Mutl, S. (2002) Cationic Polymers in Water Treatment Part 2: Filterability of CPE-Formed Suspension. Water SA, 28, 83-88.
[16]	Polasek, P. (2011) Influence of Velocity Gradient on Optimization of the Aggregation Process and Properties of Formed Aggregates: Part 1: Inline High Density Suspension Process. Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics, 59, 95-106
[17]	Polasek, P. (2011) Influence of Velocity Gradient on Optimization of the Aggregation Process and Properties of Formed Aggregates: Part 2: Quantification of the Influence of Agitation Intensity and Time on the Properties of Aggregates—Experimental Results. Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics, 59, 196-205.
[18]	Polasek, P. and Mutl, S. (2005) Acceleration of Gravity Separation Processes. J. Filtration, 5, 33-39.
[19]	van Duuren, F.A. (1997) Water Purification Works Design. Water Research Commission, Publication TT 92/97.