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Removal of arsenic from drinking water using dual treatment process

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Abstract

This paper focuses on determining an efficient and simple method to remove arsenic from groundwater. Arsenic is a naturally occurring element widely distributed in the earth’s crust. Arsenic is very toxic when found in large quantities in drinking water. This report documents the selected treatment method and laboratory experimentation of arsenic removal from drinking water in small water delivery systems and domestic water systems. The objective is to expand upon research of new and existing arsenic removal technologies or promote a new, alternative process. Several treatment technologies have been considered to perform this function, but cost and reliability concerns prompted the decision to analyze small-scale, community-based filtration units, specifically. Based upon initial test data, the use of dual treatment method comprising of oxidation-coagulation-filtration and adsorption by activated alumina has proven to be more economic having more capacity and superior reliability as compared to other arsenic removal processes using various other media.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Department of Science and Technology, Government of India under Water Technology Initiative programme, Govt. of India for sponsoring the research project and awarded to School of Water Resources Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Help and assistant obtained during analysis of water testing and field visit from the team of School of Water Resources Engineering, Jadavpur University is also acknowledged.

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Correspondence to Pankaj Kumar Roy.

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Roy, P.K., Majumder, A., Banerjee, G. et al. Removal of arsenic from drinking water using dual treatment process. Clean Techn Environ Policy 17, 1065–1076 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-014-0862-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-014-0862-0

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