Microbial removals by a novel biofilter water treatment system

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Christopher WendtJoan B Rose

Abstract

Two point-of-use drinking water treatment systems designed using a carbon filter and foam material as a possible alternative to traditional biosand systems were evaluated for removal of bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. Two configurations were tested: the foam material was positioned vertically around the carbon filter in the sleeve unit or horizontally in the disk unit. The filtration systems were challenged with Cryptosporidium parvum, Raoultella terrigena, and bacteriophages P22 and MS2 before and after biofilm development to determine average log reduction (ALR) for each organism and the role of the biofilm. There was no significant difference in performance between the two designs, and both designs showed significant levels of removal (at least 4 log10 reduction in viruses, 6 log10 for protozoa, and 8 log10 for bacteria). Removal levels meet or exceeded Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for microbial purifiers. Exploratory test results suggested that mature biofilm formation contributed 1-2 log10 reductions. Future work is recommended to determine field viability.

References

Aug 27, 2002·Emerging Infectious Diseases·Rodney M Donlan
Nov 7, 2002·Water Research·L C CamposS R Smith
Nov 30, 2004·Veterinary Parasitology·Walter Q Betancourt, Joan B Rose
Feb 3, 2007·American Journal of Public Health·Pavani Kalluri RamRobert E Quick
Sep 9, 2009·Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH·Sangya-Sangam K TiwariMarion W Jenkins
Jan 17, 2012·Environmental Science & Technology·Amy J Pickering, Jennifer Davis

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Citations

Jul 23, 2020·TheScientificWorldJournal·Máira Gazzola ArroyoMargarete Teresa Gottardo de Almeida

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
membrane filtration

Software Mentioned

INF
EFF

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