Removal of Escherichia Coli through Rapid Depth Filtration by using Burnt Oil Palm Shell (BOPS) as a Filter Media in Water Treatment Process

Escherichia Coli is the ubiquitous microorganism contaminating the drinking water. This study is using granular bed filtration as a vigorous, simple and economical method to prevent the penetration of bacterial contamination, by discovering an alternative filter media from local source namely the burnt oil palm shell (BOPS). The result indicated that dual media BOPS/sand were higher reduction and longer total service of time compare to anthracite/sand, whereas BOPS/sand, 65.57% and anthracite/sand, 34.35% removal of E.coli by direct filtration process. The BOPS is identified as a potential filter media that will help in reducing the cost of water treatment and enhancing environmental sustainability. The results from this study were suggested that BOPS as a new biodegradable medium filter in water treatment process specifically for the removal of disease-causing by E.coli. Index Term – Total Coliform; Escherichia Coli; Burnt Oil Palm Shell; Granular Media Filtration.