Iron removal at groundwater pumping station Harderbroek

Iron is the primary source for discolouration problems in the drinking water distribution system. The removal of iron from groundwater is a common treatment step in the production of drinking water. Even when clear water meets the drinking water standards, the water quality in the distribution system can deteriorate due to settling of iron (hydroxide) particles or posttreatment flocculation of dissolved iron. Therefore it is important to remove dissolved and particulate iron to very low levels. The objective of this study was to reduce the particle load towards the distribution system and to improve the iron removal at the groundwater pumping station Harderbroek, consisting of aeration, rapid sand filtration and tower aeration. A maximum flow of 1800 m3/h can be treated and the average production is 800 m3/h. Although previous research showed the clear water meets the drinking water regulations, the drinking water company Vitens is not satisfied with the turbidity and iron concentration of the clear water. The mean iron concentration is 0.04 mg/l.Sanitary EngineeringWatermanagementCivil Engineering and Geoscience