Optimizing Biofiltration for Improved Manganese Control under Cold-Water Conditions

The growing popularity of biofiltration as a sustainable method for removing a wide array of contaminants, coupled with the recent focus on potential manganese (Mn) regulations, has increased utility interest in the impact of biofilters on Mn removal. Alameda County Water District (ACWD) has experienced Mn breakthrough across their biological filters below temperatures of 14°C. Typically, the biofilters remove 80-100% of the influent Mn, which historically is 100% dissolved. This project evaluated the primary causes for reduced biological Mn removal under winter conditions by sampling across full-scale biofiltration facilities with varied source waters, temperatures, and operational strategies, and conducting controlled bench-scale experiments. The research team selected optimization strategies for improving biological Mn removal under winter conditions and subsequently tested those strategies at pilot-scale. Tailored Collaboration Partner: ACWD. Published in 2020.

In December 2022, a paper based on this research was published in AWWA Water Science: Comparison of Anthracite and GAC Biofilter Performance for Surface-Water Manganese Removal.