AWWA JAW59540

Arsenic (As) removal from drinking water is a significant issue for many groundwater treatment facilities. With the promulgation of the US Environmental Protection Agency's Arsenic Rule, As removal has become even more critical, especially for smaller facilities constrained by limited budgets. With the development of better technologies, new attention has been focused on the coagulation/microfiltration (C/MF) technique for As removal. This article demonstrates how C/MF, once thought to be too cost-prohibitive, especially for smaller facilities, is now cost-competitive, as well as effective. The authors provide specific information on the application of C/MF technology. The pilot tests presented show how microfilter membranes can be effectively used to remove As with the addition of ferric chloride and without excessive fouling of the membrane. Includes 8 references, figures.