Abstract:
A straightforward method for purifying water is slow sand filtration. The fundamental
design characteristics of the slow sand filter and its possible uses in water treatment
have not been thoroughly examined in Ethiopia, despite the fact that it is a widely
recognized technique. Clogging is a slow sand filter design and operating issue that
arises on this treatment plant as a result. In order to address some of the issues raised
by the failure of a full-scale slow sand filter installed in Enarj Enawuga Woreda for the
water treatment project, this study used design of a small-scale/model of Prototype slow
sand filter treatment plant made from fiber glass material. To identify which
arrangement or parameter is increase effectiveness of the system, optimization work
was conducted using three containers with variations in supernatant water, free board
depth and sand existing on above the supporting gravel. All optimized containers and
Prototype model fulfill the WHO standards for drinking water at the end of filtration
period except the parameter of TSS. Container B has a high removal efficiency within
a short period. According to the filtration rate of Containers with in depth arrangement
of supporting gravel with drain, filter sand, supernatant Water and freeboard
respectively A(9,15,23,3), B(9,20,18,3), C(9,15,20,6), and Prototype model (9,20,18,3)
of clogging time of the system 32, 27, 29 and 26 days respectively. However, to
facilitate removal efficiency the Schemuzedke, which is positioned above the most
effective and efficient sand, corresponding to parameters of Turbidity, Total suspended
solids, and Total dissolved solids, EC and pH are lower in Container A as compared
with Container B and C. High removal efficiency is typically observed in designed
containers with a low supernatant water level and a high infiltration depth of effective
sand due to pressure head of water above the sand. Therefore, container B was selected
and applying on real prototype of Enarje Enawuga slow sand filter water treatment
plant. The main reason for the clogging of the system was not the effective sand size
(0.3 mm) and its uniformity coefficient (1.6). removal efficiency of prototype model
orderly Turbidity, TSS, TDS, EC, and pH within the value of 92.12%, 84.82%, 62.78%,
54.55%, and 19.39%, respectively, conclude that silt accumulation occur at the outlet
of the reservoir to ensure that take a water sample at the top part of raw water Storage
reservoir approved that lack of preliminary treatment or intake before slow sand filter.
