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Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1
Chapter 2: Water treatment processes ............................................................................................. 2
Chapter 3: Observations ................................................................................................................... 3
3.1 Raw water extraction .............................................................................................................. 3
3.2 Screening & Pre – Sedimentation ............................................................................................ 4
3.3 Aeration .................................................................................................................................. 5
3.4 Coagulation & Flocculation ..................................................................................................... 5
3.4.1 Clariflocculator .......................................................................................................... 6
3.5 Filtration ............................................................................................................................ 9
3.6.1 Rapid sand filters.............................................................................................................. 9
3.6.2 Rapid sand filter backwashing ................................................................................... 9
3.6.3 Back washing process .............................................................................................. 10
3.7 Disinfection ........................................................................................................................... 11
3.7.1 Selection of disinfectants ......................................................................................... 11
3.7.2 Gas Chlorination ...................................................................................................... 11
3.8 Post lime ............................................................................................................................... 12
3.9 Storage and distribution ....................................................................................................... 12
Chapter 4: New knowledge gained and Suggestions....................................................................... 13
4.1Iissues and Suggestions to be incorporated in augmentation ............................................ 13
Chapter 5: Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 15

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List of figures

Figure 1:Treatment plant ................................................................................................................... 2

Figure 2:Bar screens .......................................................................................................................... 4
Figure 3: Cascade aerator .................................................................................................................. 5
Figure 4:Clariflocculator ................................................................................................................... 7
Figure 5:Flocculator .......................................................................................................................... 7
Figure 6:Centrifloc Tank ................................................................................................................... 8
Figure 7:Pulsatube ............................................................................................................................. 9
Figure 8: Filter Backwashing ........................................................................................................... 10
Figure 9:Rapid Sand Filters ............................................................................................................. 10
Figure 10:ChlorinTanks ................................................................................................................... 11
Figure 11:Chlorinator ...................................................................................................................... 11

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Chapter 1: Introduction

This field visit was held on 18th of march 2019. The plant was Ambatale water treatment
plant. Ambatale Water Treatment Plant is next to Mulleriyawa Tank and is located in Western, Sri
Lanka. Ambatale Water Treatment Plant has a length of 1.41 kilometres. There were so many
aspects regarding to water treatment process. For example, we learned about every steps between
raw water extraction to storage and distribution. There were 4 main groups. The instructor was
delegated to demonstrate to us the essential territories inside the water plant. In the first place, we
were given a concise presentation about the water plantation and its processes. At that point we
went to various processing areas to watch the continuous venture in various regions.

Ambatale is the major water source producing 518,000 m3 of water per day with capacity
of 549,000 m3 per day. It has a treatment Plant with three water intakes and two storage reservoirs.
There are 42 low and high lift pumps at the plant, of which 25 pumps are inefficient, with high
operation and maintenance costs, as revealed through energy audits. Improvement to Ambatale
water treatment works has been identified as priority as a part of proposed NRW reduction
programmed for the city of Colombo, based on the ongoing JICA funded Master Plan
recommendations. Ambatale will become the primary water source for Colombo city while current
water sources will be dedicated for areas closer to these sources. Envisaged outputs of AWSSIESP
include Improved energy efficiency and service efficiency at Ambatale treatment plant; Improved
level of water supply service to Colombo City until the year 2040; and Capacity building on
operation and maintenance of treatment plant and energy saving.

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Chapter 2: Water treatment processes
Main industrial processes we observed;

 Aeration
 Coagulation
 Flocculation
 Sedimentation
 Filtration
 Disinfection
 Storage & Distribution

Figure 1:Treatment plant

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Chapter 3: Observations
3.1 Raw water extraction
From the Kelani River, Ambatale Water Treatment Plant gets its water supply. Ambatale
Treatment Plant, Pump from the Kelani River by the two 2 pump houses on the left bank of the
Kelani River. These pumps work 24 hours. Therefore, a large sum of money has to be spent on
electricity. But We were not able to observe the intake and screening as it situated near the river
away from the treatment plant.

The water that is found in the rivers & reservoirs are usually not suitable for drinking. The
water in the Kelani River is polluted by the activities of man & animals. The effluents of the
industries situated along the river, domestic wastes, storm water, and sewage-all enter the river
through a system of drains & waterways. So Debris, such as rocks, sticks, limbs, logs and other
large objects that can clog or damage plant equipment is trapped on screens and removed. Hence
the river water is not suitable for drinking. The steps of water treatment process are Screening &
per sedimentation, aeration, coagulation & flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection and
stabilization. Finally, treated water is stored in underground reservoir and pumped into the
transmission line.

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3.2 Screening & Pre – Sedimentation
Debris, such as rocks, sticks, limbs, logs and other large objects that can clog or damage
plant equipment is trapped on screens and removed.

Mechanical screening is done to trap and remove floating matters & other large particles
which can clog or damage plant structures. Pre-sedimentation is done to remove silt, sand and
other particles.

Figure 2:Bar screens

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3.3 Aeration
Aeration process adding air (oxygen) into water. It manages to remove oxidizes impurities
such as iron and manganese, troublesome gasses like H2S & NH3 and reduces certain types of
tastes and odors. Cascade type aerator is used in plant. There are Cascade aerators was observed
in the treatment plant. T turbulence was produced by letting water spread over obstacles as much
as possible. Finally treated water after aeration is collected from the bottom level.

Figure 3: Cascade aerator

3.4 Coagulation & Flocculation

Coagulation is a process of addition of coagulant to destabilize a stabilized charged particle.
The chemicals use for Coagulation & Flocculation are Lime and Alum. Alum (Al2(SO4)3
.14H2O) was used as the chemical for the coagulation process. Both raw water quality and treated
water qualities are checked by following parameters as Conductivity, turbidity, pH and residual
chlorine. Jar test, marble test, chlorine demand test & residual alum test is doing to find out the
optimum dosage of chemicals. When chemicals are added to water, it reacts with soil & clay
particles, microorganisms &other substances. This is called Coagulation. These particles associate
with similar particles to form big flocs. The process is called Flocculation. The flocks when it is
heavy sink to the bottom. The result is clear water at the top. At the Plant, these dosages are added
proportionately to water.

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Flocculation is the process of contact and adhesion whereby the particles of a dispersion form
larger-size particles and a mixing technique that promotes agglomeration and assists in the settling
of particles.

There is a laboratory to check the water quality; there both raw water quality and treated
water qualities are checked by following parameters as Conductivity, turbidity, pH and residual
chlorine. Jar test, marble test, chlorine demand test & residual alum test is doing to find out the
optimum dosage of chemicals. 3 chemicals used for Ambatala water treatment plant as follows:

 For flocculation : Aluminium sulphate

 For pH adjustment or correction : Calcium hydroxide (Lime)

 For pretreatment and disinfection : chlorine (Gas or liquid)

Lime solution (Pre lime) is added for PH adjustment of the raw water in the existing chamber to
get optimum range of coagulation. Alum solution is added in the new mixing chamber above the
inlet weir for better mixing & coagulation.The lime slurry flows into the distribution chamber by
gravity from tank.

3.4.1 Clariflocculator
Clariflocculator is a combination of flocculation and clarification in a single tank. It has
two concentric tanks where inner tank serves as a flocculation basin and the outer tank serves as a
clarifier. In the Clariflocculator, the water enters the flocculator, where the flocculating paddles
enhance flocculation of the feed solids. As heavy particles settle to the bottom, the liquid flows
radially upward in the clarifier zone. The clarified liquid is discharged over a peripheral weir into
the peripheral launder. The deposited sludge is raked to the bottom near the central weir from
where it is routed to the sludge chamber and discharged.

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Figure 5:Flocculator
Figure 4:Clariflocculator
3.5 Sedimentation

There are four types of settling tanks used; Centifloc, pretreator, pulsator and pulsatube

Tank Sedimentation Tank Output No. Of Detention Sludge removal

Type Capacity capacity unit time

Centifloc Water flows vertically 7179 m3 13.5MG 2 2.8 hrs Accumulated

upward through the D excess sludge is
sludge blanket and flocs released by an
are stick on it and automatic
clarified water goes up. mechanical de-
sludging system.

Pretreator Water flows vertically 9462 m3 13.5MG 2 3.7 hrs Accumulated

through the sludge D excess sludge is
blanket and flocs are released by an
stick on it and clarified automatic
water goes up, mechanical de-
sludging system
Sludge recirculation is
allowed in order to get
optimum flocculation

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Pulsator When the water with 6012 m3 13.5MG 1 2.36 hrs No mechanically
flocs going downwards D stirring system,
through the blanket the
No sludge
floc rest on it.
recirculation.

Pulsatube Pulsatube is flat bottom 10 MDG 1 Sludge is removed

sludge blanket clarifiers, using pressure gun
floc settle on the surface
of tube.

Figure 6:Centrifloc Tank

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 Figure 7:Pulsatube

3.5 Filtration
3.6.1 Rapid sand filters
Rapid Sand filters are being used for the filtration process in the ambathale water treatment
plant. Sand filter method takes 45 minutes for the filtration. The sand filter has capacity of 16800
m3 per day. Effective size of sand media is 0.9mm, uniformity co-efficient 1.5 and depth of sand
media is 0.9m.

As water go by the filter bed, the suspended particles contact and adsorbs onto the surface
of the individual filter grains or onto previously deposited material. Water level is regulated by
float control.

3.6.2 Rapid sand filter backwashing

The deposits in filter beds are diluted by the back wash process. There is an automatic
sensor system for back wash processes. Filter backwash is taken place once it reaches the
predetermined water level or when water flow stops, that is the time for backwash the filter tank.
For backwash First air scour is done; then water is sent upwards through the filter media. Sand in
filter bed is refilled once in 3 to 4 months’ time period.

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3.6.3 Back washing process
1. Close inlet
2. Allow water to filter
3. Air souring
4. Air + Water
5. Back washing with only water

Figure 9:Rapid Sand Filters

Figure 8: Filter Backwashing

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3.7 Disinfection
Then post chlorination is done, in order to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases, by
providing protective residual within the distribution system to guard against inadvertent bacterial
contamination. Mostly liquid form Cl2 is taped and vaporized to Cl2 gas. Then that Cl2 gas mix
with water and feed it to water on the line connecting the clear water tank.

3.7.1 Selection of disinfectants

I. Effective kill
II. Work under normal environmental conditions
III. End products/residuals should be non-toxic
IV. Low cost
V. Proper residuals should be provided
VI. Easy, safe to store, transport, and disperse.
VII. Easy in analysing the dose, residuals.

3.7.2 Gas Chlorination

In this process we add chlorine to drinking water to disinfect it and kill germs. Different
processes are used. One Cylinder of Chlorine weighing 900kg in liquid, imported from
Bangladesh, can be used for about 13 hrs per day. Cl2 (l) is in cylinders and then it is converted to
Cl2(g)

Figure 10:ChlorinTanks

Figure 11:Chlorinator

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3.8 Post lime
Post Lime addition is done for pH correction in order to avoid corrosion or CaCO3
deposition. Lime is added after the chlorination process on the same line connecting the clear water
tank. It was observed that post chlorine and lime is added at the same location.

3.9 Storage and distribution

After treating water, it should be distributed and stored. For that, water was pump to the
pump house after disinfection. Then there are storage tanks used to store water before distribution.
these storage tanks are in underground.

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Chapter 4: New knowledge gained and Suggestions

Gaining of knowledge and experience about water treatment process is the major aims of this
industrial visit. There are so many new things that we learnt from this filed visit. Most of them, we
experienced for the first time. Following are the observations we have done during this industrial
visit.

 Raw Water Extraction and screening

 Aeration
 Coagulation
 jar Test
 Flocculation
 Clariflocculator
 Sedimentation
 Centrifloc
 Pulsator
 Pulsatube
 Rapid Sand filter
 Rapid Sand filter backwashing (practical demonstration)
 When is Backwashing Needed for a sand filter
 Disinfection
 Basis of selection of disinfectants
 Gas Chlorination
 Storage and distribution

4.1Iissues and Suggestions to be incorporated in augmentation

The Ambatala water treatment plant needs renovation and augmentations in some areas. The
following activates can be address to provide the quality drinking water and safe the environment
of surrounding area including Kalani River.

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1. Ambatala water treatment plant generated around 16000 m3/day wastewater and it is
discharged to the Kelani River. The wastewater can be treated before release to the river or
the treated wastewater can be used for gardening purpose.

2. At present this plant does not have sludge treatment facility. At the moment the sludge also
discharged to Kelani River. It could be treated in proper manner and disposed in another
place

3. The back wash system automated with pneumatically energized valves is not reliable. The
system and the backwash sequence could to be renovated.

4. Some filter beds are not working properly stagnating without filtering. These will
contribute to deterioration of final water quality. The plant could be monitor and maintain
properly in order to provide quality portable water.

5. The pulsator can be converted to pulsatube to further improve clarified water quality and
the capacity.

6. Post Chlorination is to be improved with the contact tank (20 minutes’ contact) before
pumping to the distribution line to ensure effective disinfection.

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Chapter 5: Conclusion

There are so many new things that we learnt from this filed visit. Most of them, we experienced
for the first time. At the end of the field visit, we got experience real working space and the environment
of a water treatment plant. We’ve learnt so many applications of what we learnt theoretically. Many sides
of a water treatment plant were secured by this task. We became acquainted with the issues we could
look later on and methods to defeat those issues proficiently. We became more acquainted with about
water treatment processes in Sri Lanka, distribution of treated water and storage which could be
extremely useful later on. So I can say that, the field visit was very useful as well as very successful.

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