From Better Water Quality to Lower Operating Costs: How Filtralite® Proved Its Value in Modern Water Treatment Applications
In water and wastewater treatment, filtration media plays a critical role in achieving high water quality while optimizing operational efficiency. Filtralite® is one of the most advanced filtration media solutions available today. Manufactured from expanded clay through a high-temperature thermal process, Filtralite® features a unique porous structure, low density, and a large surface area that enhances solids removal and improves overall filtration performance.
The Filtralite® product family includes Filtralite® Pure for drinking water and desalination applications, Filtralite® Clean for wastewater and industrial water treatment, and Filtralite® Air for air treatment and odor control systems. These solutions have been successfully implemented in numerous projects worldwide, helping utilities improve filtration efficiency while reducing water and energy consumption associated with backwashing operations.
Case Study | Long Term Operation and Maintenance Agreement – Package 01, Jeddah
How Did Filtralite® Enhance Plant Performance and Deliver Measurable Operational Savings?
Key Results at a Glance
| Key Indicator | Result |
| Plant Design Capacity | 250,000 m³/day |
| Actual Production During Testing | 220,000 m³/day |
| Number of Filters in Normal Operation | 19 Filters |
| Number of Filters During High-Load Testing | 16 Filters |
| Flow Rate per Filter at High Load | 13,750 m³/day |
| Filtration Rate | 9.5 m/h |
| Reduction in Backwash Frequency | Up to 50% |
| Reduction in Backwash Duration | Up to 50% |
| Lowest Turbidity Achieved | 0.42 NTU |
As part of the Long-term Operation and Maintenance Agreement – Package 01, Jeddah, a comparative performance study was conducted to evaluate Filtralite® against conventional anthracite filter media in a wastewater treatment plant. The objective was to assess filtration performance, treated water quality, and operational efficiency under real operating conditions.
During the first phase of testing, the plant operated at an actual production rate of 220,000 m³/day, compared to its design capacity of 250,000 m³/day, with 19 filters in service and an average flow of 11,579 m³/day per filter.
In the second phase, the operating load was increased by reducing the number of active filters to 16, while maintaining the same overall production rate. This increased the flow rate to 13,750 m³/day per filter and raised the filtration rate to 9.5 m/h, creating more demanding operating conditions for both media types.
Consistently Better Water Quality Under Varying Operating Conditions
The study demonstrated Filtralite®’s ability to maintain stable filtration performance while delivering lower turbidity levels compared to conventional anthracite media.
Throughout the testing period, Filtralite® achieved turbidity values as low as 0.42 NTU, while anthracite reached values of up to 1.53 NTU under similar operating conditions. Filtralite® consistently maintained stable effluent quality, reflecting its superior ability to capture suspended solids and support downstream treatment processes.
Performance Comparison: Filtralite® vs. Anthracite
| Performance Indicator | Anthracite | Filtralite® | Improvement |
| Lowest Recorded Turbidity | 0.75 NTU | 0.42 NTU | Better Water Quality |
| Highest Recorded Turbidity | 1.53 NTU | 0.79 NTU | Greater Stability |
| Maximum Backwash Frequency | 6 Times/Day | 3 Times/Day | 50% Reduction |
| Maximum Backwash Duration | 144 min/day | 72 min/day | 50% Reduction |
| Backwash Frequency During Peak Operation | 4 Times/Day | 2 Times/Day | 50% Reduction |
Reduced Backwashing Means Lower Water and Energy Consumption
One of the most significant findings of the study was the reduction in backwash requirements when using Filtralite®.
Under normal operating conditions, Filtralite® required fewer backwash cycles than anthracite. Daily backwash duration decreased from 81 minutes to 54 minutes, while on certain days Filtralite® required only 27 minutes of backwashing, compared to 54 minutes for anthracite.
These reductions translate directly into lower water consumption, reduced energy usage, and decreased operational stress on backwash systems and associated equipment.
The Real Advantage Becomes Clear at Higher Loading Rates
When the filtration system was challenged with higher hydraulic loading rates, Filtralite® continued to deliver stable performance while requiring significantly fewer backwash cycles.
On some testing days, anthracite filters required up to 6 backwash cycles per day, while Filtralite® required only 3 cycles. Similarly, total daily backwash duration decreased from 144 minutes to 72 minutes, representing an operational saving of up to 50%.
These results demonstrate Filtralite®’s ability to retain solids more effectively, extend filter run times, and maintain performance under demanding operating conditions.
Operational Value Beyond Filtration
The benefits of Filtralite® extend beyond improved water quality. By reducing backwash frequency and duration, utilities can significantly decrease water and energy consumption while lowering maintenance requirements and improving long-term filter stability.
This combination of operational efficiency and filtration performance makes Filtralite® an attractive solution for water and wastewater treatment facilities seeking to maximize performance while minimizing lifecycle costs.
Conclusion: Investing in Efficiency and Sustainability
The results of the Long-term Operation and Maintenance Agreement – Package 01, Jeddah clearly demonstrate that Filtralite® is more than just a filtration media replacement. It is a strategic solution that enhances water quality, reduces resource consumption, and improves overall operational performance.
By delivering up to 50% reductions in backwash frequency and duration, while maintaining superior effluent quality under both normal and high-load conditions, Filtralite® provides a compelling pathway toward more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective water treatment operations.
Contact Eng. Mohammed Kastawy Area Sales Manager – MENA Region Mobile: +971565503535 Email : mohammed.kastawy@saint-gobain.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com
