Filtralite® Pure filter media has a unique porous structure that creates ideal conditions for water to flow through the filter bed, enhancing its ability to retain contaminants.
Background & Challenges
The Putatan II DWTP, located in the greater Manila area, supplies up to 150,000 m³/day of potable water to over 6 million people.
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The plant uses Laguna Lake as its raw water source — a body of water highly contaminated with ammonia (up to 7 mg/L) and organic matter, posing significant treatment challenges.
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Due to land constraints, the plant was designed as a compact, multi-level facility with a footprint of only 100 m x 300 m.
Engineering Solution
Biofiltration with Filtralite® HR 3–6
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The plant features 14 up-flow biological filters (12 operational + 2 standby) with hydraulic loads ranging from 10.5 to 12 m/h, even during backwashing cycles.
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Each filter is filled with Filtralite® HR 3–6, a high-performance biofilter media made of expanded clay. Its large surface area, high porosity, and outstanding hydraulic behavior promote rapid biofilm development and high treatment performance.
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Compared to traditional sand filtration, Filtralite® enables higher filtration rates, reduced footprint, and robust biological treatment.
Operational & Economic Advantages
- Effective Removal Performance
The system treats raw water containing 1.3–7 mg/L of NH₄-N, achieving:
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<0.1 mg/L ammonia
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<2 mg/L BOD
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<5 mg/L suspended solids (SS)
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- Significant Chemical Savings
The biofiltration process replaced intensive chemical dosing, including:
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A reduction of over 15 tons of chlorine per day
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Elimination of activated carbon usage
This resulted in reduced disinfection by-products (DBPs) like THMs and AOXs, ensuring safer drinking water.
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- Cost & Carbon Reduction
The switch to Filtralite® biofiltration yielded:
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€210,000 in annual OPEX savings
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Avoided costs for carbon dosing (~€100,000/year)
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Over 200 tons of CO₂ emissions avoided per year
ROI achieved in less than 3 years
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Sustainable Benefits at a Glance
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Economic: Extended media life, lower operational costs, and reduced need for frequent backwashing or media replacement.
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Environmental: Reduced chemical dependency, lower carbon footprint, and safer water output.
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Space-Efficient: High-capacity filtration in a compact design suited for land-constrained urban projects.
After the plant was put into service, treatment performance with Filtralite® is optimal in terms of pollution removal.
Mohammed Kastawy Area Sales Manager – MENA Region Mobile: +971565503535 Email : mohammed.kastawy@saint-gobain.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com
