A WTP in North Carolina recently reduced their coagulant feed from 30 ppm to less than 10 ppm after purchasing and installing a Streaming Current Monitor (SCM) and Coagulant Charge Analyzer (CCA).  Prior to their purchase, the plant ran numerous jar tests to determine optimum coagulant dose but ultimately based their target dosage largely on plant history. 

The plant would never reduce their coagulant dose below 24 ppm due to the concern of potential turbidity spikes in their source water, and the anticipated time it would take for the plant to recover from a turbidity excursion.

“We are very pleased with the level of customer service provided by Chemtrac. Your staff was very helpful by providing technical support regarding the incorporation and installation of our new equipment”.– Superintendent, NC Water Treatment Plant

After installing a Streaming Current Sensor and discovering a maximum response time of fewer than five minutes to process dose changes, plant operators became more amenable to reducing both coagulant and caustic feed rates.

To determine their optimum dose, the plant used Chemtrac’s CCA3100 and a pH meter. Setting their chemical pumps to an optimum output allowed the operators to also determine a target set point for their online SCM.  Now, in the event that raw water turbidity suddenly changes, or if a coagulant pump stops feeding, operators are informed immediately with an alarm from their SCM.  By reducing its chemical costs, the plant expects a great return on their investment.