Pilot-testing WITH THE END IN MIND

This article explores how to determine the most effective treatment processes for upgrading a water treatment plant and provides a method that takes into account the issues that are involved in the process such as: water quality as well as financial information; water treatment process knowledge; operational and environmental concerns; and, regulatory compliance. This method was developed in an effort to streamline treatability testing programs, which according to the authors can be used at bench and pilot scale to fill in data gaps that are needed to come to an upgrade decision. The method is also flexible enough to accommodate changes in regulations or other factors related to an upgrade.