This page provides information on aluminum and iron in water treatment residuals. While providing extensive information on water treatment residuals, there is a section focused specifically on stormwater applications for aluminum and iron in water treatment residuals.
Overview and description
Water treatment residuals are the by-products of water treatment for drinking water. Drinking water treatment residuals are primarily sediment, metal (aluminum, iron or calcium) oxide/hydroxides, activated carbon, and lime removed from raw water during the water purification process (Agyin-Birikorang et al., 2009). Aluminum sulphate (commonly known as alum), ferric chloride and lime are added as flocculants in the water treatment process. This process results in the generation of vast quantities (generally between 10 and 30 mL of WTRs for every litre of water clarified) of a sludge-like waste (or by-product) known as water treatment residuals (WTRs), which require an outlet for their disposal or end use (Dassanayake et al. 2015). The most common method of disposing these WTRs is by sending them to landfills. However, WTRs have many physical and chemical properties that lend them to potential positive reuse routes.
Applications for aluminum and iron water treatment residuals in stormwater management
Effects of feedstock and production temperature
Effect of feedstock (source material)
Effect of production temperature
Properties of aluminum and iron water treatment residuals
Chemical-physical properties of aluminum and iron water treatment residuals
Potential contaminants in aluminum and iron water treatment residuals
Effects of aluminum and iron water treatment residuals on physical and chemical properties of soil and bioretention media
Effect of aluminum and iron water treatment residuals on retention and fate of phosphorus
Effect of aluminum and iron water treatment residuals on retention and fate of other pollutants
- Nitrogen.
- Metals.
- Organics.
- Bacteria and viruses.
- Dissolved organic carbon.
- Greenhouse gas emissions.
Effect of aluminum and iron water treatment residuals on soil physical and hydraulic properties
Effects of aluminum and iron water treatment residuals on soil fertility, plant growth, and microbial function
Standards, classification, testing, and distributors
aluminum and iron water treatment residuals standards
Distributors
Caution: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency does not endorse specific distributors or products
Test methods
Effects of aging
Storage, handling, and field application
Sustainability
References