Membrane filtration of wastewater effluents for reuse: effluent organic matter rejection and fouling

The reuse of treated wastewater to augment natural drinking water supplies is receiving serious consideration. Treatment of secondary and tertiary eff luent by membrane filtration was investigated by assessing nanofiltration ( NF) membrane and ultrafiltration (UF) membranes in bench-scale experiments. It was found that secondary and tertiary effluent contained high concentra tion of effluent organic matter (EfOM), contributing EfOM-related fouling. Flux decline and EfOM rejection tests were evaluated, using a dead-end stir red cell filtration unit. Surface charge and molecular weight cut-off (MWCO ) of membranes were significant factors in membrane performance including p ermeability and EfOM-rejection.