Feasibility and Environmental Impact of NOM Reduction by Microfiltration at a Finnish Surface Water Treatment Plant

Low-pressure membranes (including microfiltration and ultrafiltration) for natural organic matter removal in drinking water treatment have gained increasing interest in the Nordic countries. Microfiltration can produce stable water quality and requires less space than conventional treatment. Hollow fibre microfiltration coupled with chemical coagulation was tested at a Finnish surface water treatment plant to study its feasibility and environmental impact compared to clarification, rapid sand filtration and ozonation. Microfiltration improved both physical and chemical water quality, while natural organic matter removal was similar to that of conventional treatment. Membrane treatment would increase operational costs by 2.5–3.5 euro cents per m³. Most of the costs derive from chemicals used in membrane cleaning. Membrane treatment is an energy-intensive process, but energy production in the Nordic countries has a low emission factor. Greenhouse gas emissions from operating microfiltration are estimated at 16 g CO₂-eq./m³ of permeate. Lowering chemical consumption and using renewable energy in production could decrease total emissions.