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Sediment removal

Sediment is a regular problem in private water supplies. Although the ground acts as a natural filter, water that is collected near to the surface can be affected by sediment. The main cause of sediment in a private water supply is extremes of weather, allowing dirt and debris into the collection area. It can be removed by using a variety of methods. Open collection areas can be prone to a build up of  sediment and decaying organic matter from surface run off after heavy rain, or  gradual deposits over time. The first method of sediment control is not to let it in the first place, by Covering the source or sealing the borehole, therefore preventing surface runoff contamination.

The second method is to use Settlement. A water storage tank can be used to store water before use and carry out the settlement process. It is important to avoid turbulence in the storage tank by using the correct configuration of pipe work, care must be taken to ensure the outlet pipe is positioned away from the bottom of the tank to cater for the build up of sediment. Regular inspection of the system is required to ensure the system continues to work effectively, after a period of time the tank will require cleaning to remove the build up of sediment.   

Filtration is the third and final method. Sediment filters are available in many different types and sizes, sometimes a combination of filters is required if there is a large amount of sediment or if it is very fine. All filters supplied by FWT meet with the current regulations. The main types of filter are listed below.

(See Filterclean products)

Filtration

Sand filters
These generally consist of a column of sand through which the water is passed. Different grades of sand can be used depending on the quantity of sediment to be removed. Sand filters are useful where there is a lot of sediment in the water and where there is insufficient time to allow for settlement, as is the case for swimming pools or irrigation systems. They are usually used as a pre filter in conjunction with other types of filtration and need to be regularly backwashed to remove the sediment build up, they are not effective at removing fine sediment. 

Bag filters

As their name implies, these filters consist of a bag inside a filter housing through which the water flows leaving the sediment behind. These filters are made of various synthetic fibers, such as polyester or polypropylene, and come in various shapes, sizes and micron ratings to suit all applications. Bag filters allow large volumes of contaminated water to be filtered where a high flow rate is needed.

Filter cartridges
These filters resemble long reels of cotton, placed inside a filter housing through which the water passes, they are the most effective at removing fine sediment from the water. Again depending on the flow rate and quantity of sediment in the water, we use one of three types for sediment removal.  

Spun filter cartridge  

Unlike many filters on the market the range we supply offer consistent true depth filtration, high dirt holding capacity and low cost. These cartridges are made of a pure polypropylene construction using FDA approved materials, which meet NSF standard 42 with the manufacturing process being ISO 9001 certified and comply with Reg 31

The one step manufacturing process continuously extrudes and thermally bonds pure polypropylene micro fibers into a complex filter matrix. The cartridge uses true depth filtration, as it is able to retain contaminants throughout its entire cross section, with the density progressively increasing from the exterior to the interior. This graded density allows larger particles to be trapped near the surface, the smaller ones one’s penetrate the large open areas to be trapped near the center. This increases the amount of sediment the filter can hold, maintains the water pressure and prolongs the effective filter life. Micron ratings of 1- 100.

We also stock many other specialist filter please contact us for more information or advice. 

Tel 01600 860 344