Measuring Aluminum During Water Treatment: Methodology and Application

Abstract

A method for determining aluminum during water treatment is described. The procedure, which involves filtration and cation exchange to isolate specific aluminum fractions followed by analysis, was applied to two municipal water treatment plants. Results showed that 70‐80 percent of the aluminum present in the treated water was in the dissolved form. Residual aluminum concentrations and the extent of oversaturation were affected by the pH of coagulation, the treated water pH, and temperature.