OPTIMIZATION OF THE WATER TREATMENT PROCESS AT JEYRANBATAN ULTRAFILTRATION PLANTS BY INCLUDING A BACKWASH STAGE WITH COPPER SULFATE SOLUTION

This article explores the potential impact of introducing a backwash stage using copper sulfate solution into the ultrafiltration water treatment process during episodes of rapid algal blooming in surface water sources. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of applying copper sulfate at a concentration of 2 mg/L for pre-cleaning disc filters and 1 mg/L for backwashing polyvinylidene fluoride ultrafiltration membranes. None of the water samples taken after clarification showed copper concentrations exceeding background levels, which remained well below the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) for drinking water. The experiments also found no negative impact on the structural integrity of polyvinylidene fluoride membranes in the medium term. Long-term studies are ongoing to assess potential cumulative effects.