Application of aerated submerged spongebed biofilter for raw water pre-treatment in drinking water installation

Pesanggrahan River has been contaminated by domestic wastewater. High contamination of Pesanggrahan River with the maximum observed TSS (243,8 mg/L), COD (165,2 mg/L), Total Phosphate (0,74 mg/L), and NH3-N (1,04 mg/L) has exceeded the Raw Water for Drinking Water standard based on Government Regulation Number 82 the Year 2001. Aerated Submerged Sponge-bed Biofilter can be proposed as pre-treatment recommendation for Drinking Water Treatment Plant processing due to its environment-friendly property and ability to reduce the organic pollutant. A lab-scale experiment with the modified volume of 15% media was applied in a 6L reactor with 7 L/min oxygen supply. Retention time variation was evaluated at 1, 1,5, and 2 hours. It was found that the highest removal efficiency occurred at HRT 1,5 hours with the reduction capability of 75,5±0,12% TSS; 59,1±0,14% COD; 57,1±0,27% Total Phosphate; and 45,5±0,37% NH3-N. On the same HRT (1,5 hours), ammonia reduction obtained at k (0-order) = 0,005 g/m 2 day. This biofilter also decreased the optimum coagulant (PAC) concentration needed.