COLIFORM TRANSPORT IN RIVER BANK FILTRATION (RBF) SYSTEM

Abstract

Groundwater is the water contained beneath the surface in rocks and soil and that accumulates underground water in aquifers. Groundwater constitutes 97% of global freshwater and is an important source of drinking water in many regions of the world. Groundwater is the key source of drinking water that is necessary to sustain life on earth. In Recent years, there has been a tremendous increase in the presence of contaminants in ground water because of the rapid industrialization and use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture. This contaminated water passes through the soil and produces hazardous chemicals, which are objectionable and risky to the public health. The substance may be physical, chemical, biological or radiological. The biological contaminants are bacteria and virus. Pathogens from sewage sludges, septic tanks and other sources can transport with subsurface water to drinking water wells. So the production wells for safe drinking water must be at an adequate distance from the source of contamination. Thus, it is necessary to predict the contaminant distribution in ground water once these are released from the source. River Bank Filtration (RBF) is a low cost and efficient alternative water treatment being used for more than hundred years under the name. In RBF system, surface water is subjected to ground passage being collected and used as a drinking water source. In an RBF process, wells are placed at optimal location so that we can have a safe drinking water. Understanding the contaminants movement in subsurface is necessary for taking up the proper remedial measures. The present study is concerned with the development of mathematical models for the analysis of. coliform transport in a river bank filtration system. The primary objectives of the study are: To develop mathematical models for the coliform transport in river bank filtration system and To check the effect of Decay components and travel time on the coliform concentrations.