Is the Microfiltration Process Suitable as a Method of Removing Suspended Solids from Rainwater?

Due to climate change and anthropogenic pressure, freshwater availability is declining in areas where it has not been noticeable so far. As a result, the demands for alternative sources of safe drinking water effective methods purification are growing. A solution worth considering treatment rainwater by microfiltration. This study presents results selected analyses runoff, collected from roof surface individual households equipped with harvesting system. The method management research location (rural area) influenced low content suspended substances (TSS < 0.02 mg/L) turbidity (< 4 NTU). Microfiltration allowed further removal suspension particles sizes larger than 0.45 ?m efficiency greater 60%. Granulometric analysis indicated that physical properties vary season weather. During spring, an average size 500 predominated, while autumn were much smaller (10 ?m). However, Silt Density Index measurements confirmed even small amount solids can contribute fouling membranes (SDI > 5). Therefore, cannot be purified microfiltration without appropriate pretreatment.