Seeking simplicity, reliabillity and sustainability in drinking water purification for future: the river bank filtration based one step reverse osmosis process: from concept to practice

“The combination of RBF and RO combines a relatively low-cost natural pre-treatment of river water with an advanced purification technique. The benefits of RBF are well known. It provides a continuous natural source of water with a stable water quality, including a robust barrier for microbiological risks. In combination with the removal of particles, DOC and a large percentage of organic micro-pollutants, it becomes an ideal source for a purification system based on R.O. membranes, this is especially true when compared to a direct intake of surface water. A stabile high quality source implicates both better performance of the membrane system and a higher quality of the drinking water permeate and the concentrate. The treatment with R.O. will not only remove almost 99,9 % of the remaining known micro- pollutants, including the frequently discovered unknown emerging compounds, but will also remove the vast majority of the nutrients, adding to the goals of a chlorine free delivery of drinking water with a high bio stability as measured by the indictor parameters TCC, BPP and AOC. Moreover, the concept is very robust and prepared for hydrological system changes like upcoming of brackish water or seawater intrusion as a result of climate change. The complete concept has a competitive cost level when compared to the standard conventional series of purification steps with sprinkling filters, softening and activated carbon.”

(Citaat: Liu, G., Wang, X., Timmer, H., et al. – Seeking simplicity, reliabillity and sustainability in drinking water purification for future: the river bank filtration based one step reverse osmosis process: from concept to practice – ISMAR 10, Madrid, Spain, 20-24 May 2019, p.168)