Arsenic removal - experience with the GEH® process in Germany

Abstract

The reduced German drinking water standard for arsenic of 10 μg/L initiated the development of a new adsorbent, the granular ferric hydroxide. It was introduced into the market in 1997 under the trade name GEH®. 16 drinking water treatment plants for arsenic removal are now using this technique in Germany. The article gives a brief overview over this applications, the design data and the treatment results. This technique requires only small contact times between 3 and 10 minutes, whereas the treatment capacities are up to 250,000 bed volumes. The average treatment costs, including media supply, media exchange service and disposal, are 0.04 EURO per m3 treated water.