Pitfalls to Avoid When Selecting a Water Treatment Process

“I Wish I Knew that Beforehand”: Pitfalls to Avoid When Selecting a Water Treatment Process

ABSTRACT

This presentation provides examples of unique and interesting problems observed by an independent water treatment review specialist. In this role, the author has undertaken many reviews of actual drinking water supply and treatment projects in the design, commissioning and operational stages. This presentation presents brief case studies describing what failed and why, with the objective of learning from the errors and challenges faced on actual water treatment projects in British Columbia. The focus is on the failure of a project or process to meet necessary water treatment objectives. Many of the problems described result from inadequate characterization of the source water quality, as well as the desire to apply a standardized treatment approach to treatment of several sources.

Key learning points are:

• Key pitfalls to avoid when selecting water treatment process components
• The role and importance of adequate source water characterization

BIOGRAPHY

Irfan Gehlen, P.Eng., is the water and wastewater treatment sector leader at Kerr Wood Leidal Associates. He has 17 years of experience in assessment, design and construction of water treatment projects. His work encompasses domestic water supply, with focus on regulatory requirements, design guidelines, source-to-tap assessments, water treatment, and water system design.