AWWA WQTC58795

Natural organic matter (NOM) has been shown to be one of the key water quality characteristics that affects treatment processes. The elevated levels of NOM in Australian water supplies have resulted in priority being given to research by the Australian Water Quality Centre (AWQC) to methods of removing NOM. This resulted in the development of a new process for NOM removal based on a magnetic ion exchange resin called MIEX® developed by the AWQC in collaboration with Orica Watercare and the Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO). Both the MIEX® resin and process have been patented internationally. The MIEX® process has been incorporated into two plants in Australia, a new 2.5 ML/day plant at Mt. Pleasant in South Australia and into half of an established 225 ML/day conventional water treatment plant at Wanneroo in Western Australia. The Mt. Pleasant plant incorporates two streams following the MIEX® process; one stream is conventional coagulation/filtration while the other is microfiltration. This paper outlines the resin process, provides results from the Mt. Pleasant plants and gives examples of some of the benefits. Includes 9 references, tables, figures.