Removing aluminium from drinking water in San Marcos
The drinking water of San Marcos is characterized by a relatively high aluminium content and a low pH. During several studies performed by students and staff from both TEC and TU Delft, it was concluded that just increasing the pH would result in floc formation and consequent removal of the aluminium. Therefore, several pilot tests were performed by leading the raw water over a marble (calciumcarbonate) filter. During filtration the pH was increased and aluminium was removed. Therefore it was time to perform a full scale pilot for a community of about 80 people. A pressure vessel was obtained, which was filled with the calciumcarbonate. In one day the piping was fixed, leading, at the end of the day, the water by gravity through the filter and, after chlorination, to the storage tank. The next day the samples were taken and it was confirmed that the aluminium content was below WHO standards (and pH was increased). Below an impression of the construction and sampling works.
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