WTC CoagTM

About

BACKGROUND Chemical coagulants are used at water treatment plants to remove dissolved organic material to improve water quality. Climate change is increasing localised flood events and droughts that affect the input supplies to water treatment plants. Though substantial variability in input supplies is not new, the rate at which these events occur and the range in which they affect water quality is increasing. Empirical estimates of coagulant dose are time consuming and can result in unpredictable water quality. The amount of coagulant dosed at water treatment plants has a large impact on the efficiency of the overall conventional water treatment process. The use of coagulation prediction software alongside empirical approaches is a cheap and effective way to improve water quality. TECHNOLOGY The technology is a web application operating on any mobile device that allows operators of municipal water treatment plants to determine the metal coagulant (alum) and chemical doses required to remove dissolved organic carbon. The model uses raw water quality inputs that can be rapidly determined (UV254, colour and turbidity), to generate predictions for coagulant and pH control reagent doses. The model was developed using data from extensive testing performed on multiple source waters throughout South Australia and Australia. It has been successfully used to optimise coagulant dosing at more than 10 water treatment plants across Australia since its development.