Occurrence of Transparent Exopolymer Particles (TEP) Through Drinking Water Treatment Plants

Numerous membrane fouling studies have been conducted to predict and prevent membrane fouling. It was only recently that a new parameter, TEP, was introduced in this research. The deposition of TEP on reverse osmosis (RO) membranes has already been imaged, correlations between ultrafiltration (UF) fouling and TEP concentrations have been reported. Furthermore, TEP deposition takes place in an early stage of biofilms formation, making TEP one of the accused in search for biofilm initiation factors. After literature reporting about TEP in marine, surface and wastewater, this is the first research focusing on TEP through in drinking water. Each treatment step in three completely different drinking water production plants was evaluated on TEP removal and it could be concluded that a limited restfraction or no TEP could reach the drinking water. Coagulation + sand filtration proved efficient in strongly reducing TEP levels, UF + RO can provide a total TEP removal.