Grant: College - University Idea to Innovation Grants

Biological filtration is touted as one of few methods in drinking water treatment that can reduce chemical*requirements and energy needs in drinking water facilities. In fact, the Water Environment Foundation (2013)*further states ""In North America, there is a lack of available and robust tools for monitoring and control of BF*(biofiltration). Identification, validation, and use of monitoring and control tools are necessary to establish BF*(biofiltration) as a process that can be controlled and whose performance can be predicted."" It is impossible to*determine how to run a biofilter without having the tools to effectively monitor its performance. The full scale*research project will assess a suite of analytical methods to contribute to the overall knowledge base and*specifically to support the Drinking Water Services Group in the City of Ottawa, in identifying methods to*monitor and maintain their biofilters in optimum conditions. At full scale the carbon removal will be assessed*in a variety of mechanisms for a 12 month period, and will include the evaluation of monitoring tools which*could be used to help meet future needs and expectations on how to monitor biofiltration processes. Further, a*pilot scale comparison of biolfiltration and conventional filtration with different chlorine loads and backwash*wash conditions will be examined. This research will provide data on disinfection byproduct control, headloss*development, and turbidity removal under various conditions. Identification and validation will provide a*scientific and technical advance for the water industry in operating biofilters. From a commercial perspective,*this would provide water treatment equipment suppliers information on what tools they can market and provide*to their customers in order to better improve and operate biofilters in their plants. From a social and*environmental perspective the outcomes are also clear - this project will facilitate drinking water treatment*plant staff will be able to better operate their facilities which can lead to a safer and more sustainable (through*reduced chemical and energy use) water production. Finally, the water industry benefits by advancing the field*of treatment processes and adding highly qualified personnel (HQP) in the water treatment field.