Evaluación de FeCl3 y PAC para la potabilización de agua con alto contenido de color y baja turbiedad

The water source for supply from moorland is characterized by its high color and low turbidity, which represents an inconvenience to be considered in most water treatment plants. Internationally, studies have been carried out in this regard, but in general, the proposed solutions are costly and do not fully adapt to this type of Colombian water sources (a country in which no research is recorded). The purpose of this work was the evaluation of FeCl3 as a primary coagulant and PAC (Poly Aluminium Chloride) as auxiliary on a laboratory scale for the water purification with high color and low turbidity. The jar test was performed with FeCl3, PAC, FeCl3 + PAC as a coagulation aid and FeCl3 + PAC as a flocculation aid. The parameters evaluated were pH, color, and turbidity, before and after the treatments; with a dose range for FeCl3 between 36-42 mg/L and for PAC between 0.2-0.5 mg/L. The results displayed that in terms of color removal, the FeCl3 + PAC combination as a coagulation aid showed the highest efficiency among the treatments studied (86.9%), while for turbidity removal the yield reached 80.2%. Likewise, it was demonstrated that this alternative represents a cost savings when compared to PAC as sole coagulant (between 25.5 - 34.2%), depending on the treated flow. Regarding compliance with Colombian regulations in force, the maximum permissible values are (Color = 15 UPC, Turbidity = 2 UNT), with the exception of pH that must be between 6.5-9.0, and that must be stabilized before to send the treated water through the distribution network.