What is the best corrective measure to take when experiencing high turbidty and short filter runs?

When facing issues with high turbidity and short filter runs, conducting a Jar Test to determine the best coagulant dosage is the most effective corrective measure. This test allows operators to evaluate how different coagulants affect the removal of suspended solids, enabling them to optimize the chemical dosing specific to the water being treated.

Coagulation is a critical step in the treatment process as it helps agglomerate particles so they can be better removed during filtration. If the turbidity is high, it indicates that there are significant amounts of suspended particles, which could be due to various reasons such as increased inflow of sediment-laden water. By identifying the appropriate coagulant dosage, an operator can enhance the coagulation process, leading to improved sedimentation and filtration performance, ultimately resulting in longer filter runs.

Increasing the flow rate may exacerbate the situation by overwhelming the filters, leading to even shorter filter runs. Changing the filter media without addressing the root cause of the turbidity may not resolve the issue as effectively as optimizing the coagulant dosage. Reducing the chemical dosage could potentially worsen the problem by resulting in insufficient coagulation, thereby failing to adequately address the high turbidity.

Conducting a Jar Test, therefore, stands out as the most