A PILOT-STUDY ON GROUNDWATER NATURAL ORGANICS REMOVAL BY LOW-PRESSUREMEMBRANES

A 1-year membrane pilot study evaluated disinfection-byproduct (DBP) p recursors and color removal by low-pressure membranes from groundwater with color values up to 200 color units for the Irvine Ranch Water Di strict (IRWD) Dyer Road Well Field in Southern California. The study r esults suggest that modified high-flux type nanofiltration (NF) membra nes performed better than traditional softening NF membranes for this application. The advantages of the high-flux NF membranes include supe rior color and DBP precursor removal, reduced inorganic fouling potent ial, less corrosive permeates, and good performance recovery after mem brane cleanings.