Importance of PAC in Water Treatment

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 96 views

The Effect of Addition of Aluminum Chloride (PAC) Poly on pH and Turbidity in Raw Water in PDAM Tirtanadi Martubung Water Treatment Installation With the Jar Test Method

The addition of poly aluminum chloride (PAC) in the water treatment process has a significant role in improving the quality of raw water. This study examines the effect of PAC on pH and water turbidity in PDAM Tirtanadi, especially in the Martubung Water Treatment Installation, using the Jar Test method. The Jar Test method is a widely used technique in water treatment to evaluate the coagulation and flocculation process. For six days, from 6 to 13 February 2018, raw water samples were taken and added with PAC solution in varying doses, ranging from 30.0 ppm to 47.5 ppm.

Importance of PAC in Water Treatment

The use of PAC in water treatment has been widely accepted due to its ability to improve the quality of raw water. PAC is a type of coagulant that helps to remove suspended solids and contaminants from water, resulting in clearer and safer water for consumption. The addition of PAC in the water treatment process has been shown to be effective in reducing turbidity, improving water clarity, and removing contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.

Methodology

The testing process begins with stirring water samples using a jar test. This process is carried out with an initial speed of 140 rpm for 5 minutes, followed by a decrease in speed to 50 rpm for 10 minutes. After stirring, the floc formed is left to settle for 20 minutes. Then, the pH and turbidity of water are measured using a turbidimeter and pH meter. The analysis showed that on February 6, 2018, the optimum PAC dose was 42.5 ppm with a turbidity of 1.69 NTU and pH 6.6. On February 7, the optimum dose increased to 45.0 ppm with a turbidity of 1.72 NTU and a fixed pH at 6.6. On February 8, the optimal dose was again at 42.5 ppm with a turbidity of 1.10 NTU and pH 6.8.

Analysis of Results

The use of PACs shows a significant reduction in turbidity, which is an important indicator in determining water quality. The turbidity measured between 1.10 to 1.72 NTU shows that the water produced is still within a safe limit for consumption, in accordance with the health standards set in the Republic of Indonesia Minister of Health Regulation No. 492/MENKES/PER/IV/2010. One of the interesting things is that although the PAC dose varies, the resulting pH range remains in an acceptable range for drinking water. This indicates that the use of PAC does not only function to reduce turbidity, but also does not have a negative impact on the acidity of water.

Effect of PAC on pH and Turbidity

The results of this study show that the addition of PAC in the water treatment process is effective in reducing turbidity and maintaining water pH within safe limits for consumption. The turbidity reduction is attributed to the ability of PAC to remove suspended solids and contaminants from water, resulting in clearer and safer water for consumption. The pH range of the water produced is also within the acceptable range for drinking water, indicating that the use of PAC does not have a negative impact on the acidity of water.

Conclusion

Based on this study, the addition of PAC in the water treatment process is effective in reducing turbidity and maintaining water pH within safe limits for consumption. These results provide valuable insight to PDAM Tirtanadi in an effort to improve the quality of raw water supplied to the community. Therefore, the use of PAC can be adopted as an effective solution in water treatment, especially in overcoming turbidity problems that often occur in raw water.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

The use of PAC in the water treatment process should be continued and optimized to achieve the best results.
The PAC dose should be adjusted to achieve the optimal turbidity reduction and pH range.
The Jar Test method should be used as a standard technique for evaluating the coagulation and flocculation process in water treatment.
Further studies should be conducted to investigate the long-term effects of PAC on water quality and to identify potential risks associated with its use.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations that should be noted:

The study was conducted for a short period of time, and the results may not be representative of the long-term effects of PAC on water quality.
The study only investigated the effect of PAC on pH and turbidity, and did not consider other water quality parameters such as bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.
The study did not investigate the potential risks associated with the use of PAC, such as the formation of disinfection byproducts or the impact on aquatic life.

Future Directions

This study provides valuable insights into the use of PAC in water treatment and highlights the need for further research in this area. Future studies should investigate the long-term effects of PAC on water quality and identify potential risks associated with its use. Additionally, studies should be conducted to investigate the use of PAC in combination with other water treatment technologies to achieve optimal results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Effect of Addition of Aluminum Chloride (PAC) Poly on pH and Turbidity in Raw Water in PDAM Tirtanadi Martubung Water Treatment Installation With the Jar Test Method

Q: What is the purpose of this study? A: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of poly aluminum chloride (PAC) on pH and turbidity in raw water in PDAM Tirtanadi, especially in the Martubung Water Treatment Installation, using the Jar Test method.

Q: What is the Jar Test method? A: The Jar Test method is a widely used technique in water treatment to evaluate the coagulation and flocculation process. It involves stirring water samples using a jar test, followed by a decrease in speed to allow the floc to settle.

Q: What is the significance of PAC in water treatment? A: PAC is a type of coagulant that helps to remove suspended solids and contaminants from water, resulting in clearer and safer water for consumption. The addition of PAC in the water treatment process has been shown to be effective in reducing turbidity, improving water clarity, and removing contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.

Q: What were the results of this study? A: The results of this study showed that the addition of PAC in the water treatment process is effective in reducing turbidity and maintaining water pH within safe limits for consumption. The turbidity reduction was attributed to the ability of PAC to remove suspended solids and contaminants from water, resulting in clearer and safer water for consumption.

Q: What are the limitations of this study? A: This study has several limitations that should be noted, including:

The study was conducted for a short period of time, and the results may not be representative of the long-term effects of PAC on water quality.
The study only investigated the effect of PAC on pH and turbidity, and did not consider other water quality parameters such as bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.
The study did not investigate the potential risks associated with the use of PAC, such as the formation of disinfection byproducts or the impact on aquatic life.

Q: What are the recommendations of this study? A: Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

The use of PAC in the water treatment process should be continued and optimized to achieve the best results.
The PAC dose should be adjusted to achieve the optimal turbidity reduction and pH range.
The Jar Test method should be used as a standard technique for evaluating the coagulation and flocculation process in water treatment.
Further studies should be conducted to investigate the long-term effects of PAC on water quality and to identify potential risks associated with its use.

Q: What are the potential applications of this study? A: The results of this study have potential applications in the water treatment industry, including:

Improving the quality of raw water supplied to the community.
Reducing the cost of water treatment by optimizing the use of PAC.
Developing new water treatment technologies that incorporate the use of PAC.

Q: What are the future directions of this study? A: Future studies should investigate the long-term effects of PAC on water quality and identify potential risks associated with its use. Additionally, studies should be conducted to investigate the use of PAC in combination with other water treatment technologies to achieve optimal results.