AWWA Standard for Filtering Material

ANSI/AWWA B100-96: AWWA Standard for Filtering Material

When ensuring the efficacy and longevity of water treatment systems, the quality of filtering materials is paramount. The ANSI/AWWA B100-96 standard provides essential guidance for professionals involved in the selection, procurement, and application of these critical components, offering a proven framework for achieving reliable water purification.

What is ANSI/AWWA B100-96?

ANSI/AWWA B100-96, developed by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), is an authoritative standard that establishes minimum requirements for filtering materials used in water treatment processes. Its primary purpose is to ensure that these materials meet stringent quality and performance benchmarks, thereby guaranteeing the safety and potability of treated water for public consumption.

Scope & Purpose

This comprehensive standard governs the physical and chemical properties of various filtering materials, including granular media and filter gravel, used in municipal and industrial water treatment facilities. It defines acceptable impurity levels and outlines requirements for material preparation, handling, and verification testing. While it provides a robust framework for common filter media, it specifically notes that granular activated carbon (GAC) is covered under a separate standard (ANSI/AWWA B604).

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Water Treatment Plant Operators, Civil Engineers, Process Engineers, Quality Control Inspectors, and Procurement Specialists.
• • Industries affected: Water Supply, Municipal Utilities, Industrial Manufacturing (with water treatment processes), and Environmental Services.
• • Compliance nature: The use of AWWA standards is voluntary. However, they are widely adopted and recommended by regulatory bodies and are often specified in project documents.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is typically verified through project specifications, third-party certifications, and audits by regulatory agencies or clients.

Key Requirements Overview

• • The standard mandates specific physical characteristics for filtering materials, ensuring uniformity in size, shape, and hardness to optimize filtration performance.
• • Professionals must ensure that filtering materials meet defined chemical purity standards, particularly regarding acid solubility and the absence of harmful impurities.
• • Key provisions include detailed requirements for sampling, testing procedures, and the submission of approval samples to verify compliance before shipment.
• • The standard outlines precise marking, packaging, and shipping guidelines to maintain material integrity from the manufacturer to the treatment facility.
• • It requires an affidavit of compliance from the manufacturer, attesting that the delivered materials conform to the standard's specifications.

Related Standards & References

ANSI/AWWA B100-96 often works in conjunction with other industry-leading standards. For granular activated carbon, ANSI/AWWA B604 is the complementary standard. Furthermore, standards related to water treatment plant design, such as those published by AWWA and ASCE, provide context for the application of filtering materials defined in B100-96.