Data in Brief 15 (2017) 916–921

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Data in Brief

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Data Article

Dataset on the spent filter backwash water

treatment by sedimentation, coagulation
and ultra filtration
Mokhtar Mahdavi a, Afshin Ebrahimi b, Hossein Azarpira a,
Hamid Reza Tashauoei c, Amir Hossein Mahvi d,e,⁎
a
Environmental Health Engineering Department, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Social Determinants
of Health Research Center, Saveh, Iran
b
Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Environment Research Center, Research Institute for
Primordial Prevention of Non Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
c
Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Islamic Azad University Tehran Medical
Branch, Tehran, Iran
d
School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
e
Center for Solid Waste Research, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Science,
Tehran, Iran

a r t i c l e i n f o abstract

Article history: During operation of most water treatment plants, spent filter
Received 21 August 2017 backwash water (SFBW) is generated, which accounts about 2–10%
Received in revised form of the total plant production. By increasing world population and
22 October 2017
water shortage in many countries, SFBW can be used as a per-
Accepted 26 October 2017
Available online 2 November 2017
manent water source until the water treatment plant is working.
This data article reports the practical method being used for water
Keywords: reuse from SFBW through different method including pre-sedi-
Spent filter backwash water mentation, coagulation and flocculation, second clarification, ultra
Water treatment
filtration (UF) and returned settled SFBW to the beginning of water
Coagulation
treatment plant (WTP). Also, two coagulants of polyaluminum
Ultra-filtration
ferric chloride (PAFCl) and ferric chloride (FeCl3) were investigated
with respect to their performance on treated SFBW quality. Sam-
ples were collected from Isfahan's WTP in Iran during spring and

⁎
Corresponding author at: Center for Solid Waste Research, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of
Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
E-mail addresses: ShamaLL6@[Link] (M. Mahdavi), a_ebrahimi@[Link] (A. Ebrahimi),
[Link]@[Link] (H.R. Tashauoei), ahmahvi@[Link] (A.H. Mahvi).

[Link]
2352-3409/& 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license
([Link]
 M. Mahdavi et al. / Data in Brief 15 (2017) 916–921 917

summer season. The acquired data indicated that drinkable water

can be produced form SFBW by applying hybrid coagulation-UF
process (especially when PAFCl used as coagulant).
& 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open
access article under the CC BY license
([Link]

Specifications Table

Subject area Environmental Engineering

More specific Water treatment, water reuse
subject area
Type of data Table and figure
How data was Raw SFBW was treated with a pilot plant that includes primary sedimentation,
acquired coagulation & flocculation and ultra-filter. The quality of raw water in Isfahan's
WTP, produced and treated SFBW was determined according to the standard
method for the examination of water and wastewater.
Data format Raw and analysed
Experimental – The data related to sedimentation, coagulation (with PAFCl and FeCl3) and UF
factors was presented
– The data related to quality of raw and treated SFBW including biological,
chemical and physical properties was presented.
Experimental SFBW treatment by primary sedimentation, coagulation and flocculation and
features ultra-filter
Data source Isfahan's WTP in Iran
location
Data accessibility The data are available with this article and it is not published anywhere

Value of the data

 The data presents the quality of raw water and produced spent filter backwash water in Isfahan-
Iran water treatment plant.
 This data show the ability of two coagulant as traditional and pre polymerized for SFBW treatment.
 The data present the quality of treated SFBW with coagulation - UF process and returned the
settled SFBW to the WTP entrance.

1. Data

Presented data in this article deal with the quality of raw water entered to Isfahan's WTP, raw
produced SFBW and treated SFBW by primary sedimentation, coagulation (PAFCl and FeCl3 used as
coagulants), Hybrid coagulation-UF processes and recirculation of primary settled SFBW to WTP
entrance. Data including parameters like turbidity, color, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved
solid (TDS), pH, alkalinity, Sludge volume, Iron (Fe), Aluminium (Al), Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), Cadmium
(Cd), ultra violet adsorption at 254 nm wave length (UVA254), specific ultra violet (SUVA), dissolved
organic carbon (DOC), total organic carbon (TOC), total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC) and het-
erotrophic plate count (HPC). These data presented in Tables 1–3 and Figs. 1–3.
918 M. Mahdavi et al. / Data in Brief 15 (2017) 916–921

Table 1
The quality of raw water entered to WTP, produced water in WTP and SFBW that produced during filters backwash.

Parameter Raw water in WTP Produced water in WTP Raw SFBW

Turbidity (NTU) 7 ( 7 0.7) 0.25 ( 7 0.01) 275.5 ( 7 2.1)

Color (Pt. Co. units) 11 (7 1.4) 0 35 ( 7 2.8)
EC (μs/cm) 333 ( 7 2.8) 334 ( 7 1.4) 335 ( 7 1.4)
TDS (mg/L) 165 ( 7 2.8) 166 ( 7 1.41) 167 ( 7 1.4)
pH 8.22 (7 0.02) 8.2 ( 7 0.02) 8.4 ( 7 0.1)
Alkalinity (mg/L CaCO3) 132 ( 7 1.4) 126 ( 7 1.4) 150 ( 7 2.8)
Sludge volume (ml/L) Negligible Negligible 12 ( 7 1.4)
Iron (mg/L) 0.1 ( 7 0.01) 0.02 ( 7 0.002) 0.7 ( 7 0.002)
Aluminium (mg/L) 0.035 ( 7 0.01) 0.049 ( 7 0.002) 0.31 ( 7 0.002)
Arsenic (µ/L) 0 0 0
Lead (µ/L) 2 ( 7 0.28) 0.5 ( 7 0.002) 16 ( 7 0.002)
Cadmium (µ/L) 0.43 (7 0.028) 0.38 ( 7 0.002) 0.7 ( 7 0.002)
UVA254nm (cm-1) 0.052 (7 0.03) 0.034 ( 7 0.001) 0.18 ( 7 0.01)
SUVA (L/mg m) 2.6 3 3
DOC (mg/L) 2 ( 7 0.28) 1.1 ( 7 0.14) 10 ( 7 2.8)
TOC (mg/L) 2.2 (7 0.14) 1.2 ( 7 0.14) –a
Total Coliform (MPN/100 ml) 5300 ( 7 1120) Lower than 1 9500 ( 7 1625)
Fecal Coliform (MPN/100 ml) 1600 ( 7 256) Lower than 1 2900 ( 7 414)
HPC (CFU/ml) 2550 ( 7 346) 50 (7 6) 4500 ( 7 525)

a
Because of very high turbidity and particulate matter this parameter was not analysed.

Table 2
Quality of treated SFBW with primary sedimentation, coagulation and hybrid coagulation-UF process.

Parameter Settled SFBW Treated SFBW Treated SFBW PAFCl-UF FeCl3-UF output
with PAFCl with FeCl3 output

Turbidity (NTU) 130 ( 7 1.6) 2.2 ( 7 0.28) 3.2 ( 7 0.3) 0.1 r 0.1 r
Color (Pt. Co. units) 30 ( 7 1.4) 3 ( 7 1.4) 4 ( 7 1.4) 0 0
EC(μs/cm) 330 ( 7 2.1) 339 ( 7 1.41) 352 ( 7 1.6) 339 ( 7 1.4) 352 ( 7 1.6)
TDS (mg/L) 165 ( 7 2.12) 167.3 ( 7 0.4) 175 ( 7 1.2) 167 ( 7 1.6) 175 (7 1.2)
pH 8.3 ( 7 0.08) 8.2 ( 7 0.2) 7.3 ( 7 0.3) 8.1 ( 7 0.1) 7.1 ( 7 0.14)
Alkalinity (mg/L CaCO3) 145 ( 7 2.1) 140 ( 7 1.4) 126 ( 7 2.1) 138 ( 7 1.2) 125 ( 7 1.6)
Sludge volume (ml/L) 3 ( 7 1.4) 5.1 ( 7 0.32) 7.2 ( 7 0.28) Negligible Negligible
Iron (mg/L) 0.35 ( 7 0.06) 0.03( 7 0.002) 0.16 ( 7 0.01) 0 0
Aluminium (mg/L) 0.25 ( 7 0.04) 0.04 ( 7 0.003) 0.045( 7 0.002) 0.035 (7 0.028) 0.027 ( 7 0.03)
Arsenic (µ/L) 0 0 0 0 0
Lead (µ/L) 14 ( 7 1) 8 ( 7 0.8) 11(7 0.92) 3 ( 7 0.2) 6 ( 7 0.5)
Cadmium (µ/L) 0. 61( 7 0.08) 0.3 ( 7 0.06) 0.27 ( 7 0.05) 0.19 ( 7 0.04) 0.21 ( 7 0.03)
UVA254nm (cm−1) 0.12 ( 7 0.02) 0.05 ( 7 0.01) 0.052 ( 7 0.014) 0.032 ( 7 0.01) 0.035 ( 7 0.01)
SUVA (L/mg m) 2.7 2.5 2.4 2.28 2.18
DOC (mg/L) 4.4 ( 7 0.28) 2 ( 7 0.28) 2.1 ( 7 0.3) 1.4 ( 7 0.1) 1.5 (7 0.11)
TOC (mg/L) –a 2.3 ( 7 0.28) 2.47 ( 7 0.3) 1.7 ( 7 0.14) 1.8 (7 0.14)
Total Coliform (MPN/100 ml) 8500 ( 7 1414) 695 ( 7 77) 1075 (7 76) Negative Negative
Fecal Coliform (MPN/100 ml) 3050 ( 7 495) 585 ( 7 77) 920 ( 7 395) Negative Negative
HPC (CFU/ml) 3600 ( 7 565) 556 ( 7 62) 832 ( 7 181) 265 ( 7 35) 350 ( 7 42)

a
Because of very high turbidity and particulate matter this parameter was not analysed.

2. Experimental design, materials and methods

2.1. Quality, quantity and characteristics of raw SFBW

Isfahan water treatment plant treats 12 m3/s of water by coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation
and rapid sand filtration processes. Produced backwash water from 48 filter units in the plant con-
sidered as a waste. Generated SFBW was about 24,000 m3/d.
 M. Mahdavi et al. / Data in Brief 15 (2017) 916–921 919

Table 3
Mixing of settled SFBW with raw water that entered to Isfahan's WTP.

Parameter Mixing settled SFBW with

raw water entered to WTP

Turbidity (NTU) 9.8

Color (Pt. Co. units) 11.4
EC(μs/cm) 332
TDS (mg/L) 165
pH 8.22
Alkalinity (mg/L CaCO3) 132.3
Sludge volume (ml/L) 0.07
Iron (mg/L) 0.105
Aluminium (mg/L) 0.04
Arsenic (µ/L) 0
Lead (µ/L) 2.28
Cadmium (µ/L) 0.43
UVA254nm (cm−1) 0.053
DOC (mg/L) 2.05
TOC (mg/L) –a
Total Coliform (MPN/100 ml) 6986
Fecal Coliform (MPN/100 ml) 2512
HPC (CFU/ml) 885

a
Because of very high turbidity and particulate matter this parameter was not analysed.

Fig. 1. A schematic of the experimental set-up. 1: a reservoir tank for raw SFBW, 2: pump, 3: primary sedimentation, 4:
coagulation, 5: flocculation, 6: secondary sedimentation, 7: UF module [6].

2.1.1. Experiment protocol

In this study SFBW was treated by continues processes including primary sedimentation, coagu-
lation, flocculation, secondary sedimentation and UF process. Entrance flow for all sections of the
pilot, except UF membrane was 10 l/h. Also, hydraulic retention time (HRT) was 60, 6, 48 and
192 minu, respectively (Fig. 1). According to our previous study, coagulation with PAFCl and FeCl3 was
conducted at pH 8.3 [1]. Both PAFCl and FeCl3 used as coagulants (Figs. 2 and 3). A pre-determined
dosage of PAFCl (10 mg/L) and FeCl3 (30 mg/L) was continuously and individually added into the rapid
mixer basin (mixing speed: 80 rpm, HRT: 6 min). Then coagulated water passed through two-floc-
culation tanks with a mixing intensity of 40 rpm. After that, the effluent was introduced to a sec-
ondary sedimentation basin, and then directed to a UF membrane module. The UF module filtration
was 8 L m−2 h−1 at a trans-membrane pressure of 300 Pa. It was operated in a cycle of 60 min fil-
tration and 1 min backwashing [2–5]. The importance of such treatment processes for SFBW is that in
case there are some concentrations of pollutants being accumulated in the SFBW they will be
920 M. Mahdavi et al. / Data in Brief 15 (2017) 916–921

Fig. 2. Affect of PAFCl at various doses (from 2.5 to 60 mg/L) on turbidity, color and organic matter removal from SFBW.

Fig. 3. Affect of FeCl3 at various doses (from 2.5 to 60 mg/L) on turbidity, color and organic matter removal from SFBW.

removed to much lower concentrations [7–9]. Data of this article attained from experimental work
and all experiments were conducted according to the standard method for the examination of water
and wastewater. Total organic carbon (TOC) was analyzed by Phoenix 8000 system. Turbidity, UV254,
true color, Total dissolved solid (TDS), Electrical Conductivity, and pH were measured by TN-100
(EUTECH) Turbidimeter, DR 5000-HACH LANGE, EC meter SENSION5 (HACH-LANGE, Germany), and
pH-meter model CG 824, respectively. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC), UV254, and the true color
were analyzed after filtration through a 0.45 μm membrane. Fe, Pb, As, and Cd were analyzed by
inductively coupled plasma (ICP).

Acknowledgements

Authors are grateful to the school of health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan-Iran
and Environmental Health Engineering Department of Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh-
Iran for their help to conduct this work. Also, thank for National Water & Wastewater Engineering
Company of Iran for all cooperation.

Transparency document. Supplementary material

Transparency document associated with this article can be found in the online version at [Link]
[Link]/10.1016/[Link].2017.10.062.
 M. Mahdavi et al. / Data in Brief 15 (2017) 916–921 921

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