The Effect of Ozone on Cold Water Coagulation

Abstract

The application of pre-coagulation ozone in drinking water treatment to provide primary disinfection, has an impact on coagulation and flocculation, and needs to be evaluated further for cold water temperatures, especially when accompanied by episodes of high alkalinity and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Ozone application to raw water, prior to the addition of coagulants and coagulant aides, was shown to reduce coagulant and coagulant aide doses, and improve settled and filtered water turbidity. The impact on particle count was also noticeable, filtered water particle count was reduced after the application of pre-coagulation ozonation. Pilot-scale experiments were conducted at the Walkerton Clean Water Centre, Walkerton, Ontario, Canada, to investigate the effect of pre-coagulation ozonation, on filtered water turbidity, particle count, and filter performance, during periods when water temperatures could be lower than 5°C.