AquaDisk Filters – Frequently Asked Questions

Aqua-Aerobic AquaDisk® Tertiary Filtration

What Is Unique About the AquaDisk® Filter?

The AquaDisk® is ideal for tertiary filtration due to its proven removal efficiencies and high-quality effluent, even under varying influent conditions. The thick cloth media maximizes solids removal over a wide range of particle sizes to capture particles for effective filtration. Automatic backwashing cleans the cloth media and allows for continuous filtration even during backwashing. The disks are installed vertically to reduce footprint and maximize filtration surface area for higher throughputs. The AquaDisk® cloth media filter is California Title 22 Certified for Water Reuse Standards and produces high-quality effluent for water reuse.

What Types of Wastewater Applications Can the AquaDisk® Be Used On?

The AquaDisk® is used on all types of municipal and industrial wastewaters for tertiary treatment, BOD & suspended solids removal, phosphorus removal, color removal, and water reuse/recycle. A variation of the AquaDisk® called the AquaStorm® is ideal for wet weather applications, and the AquaPrime® for the replacement of primary clarifiers.

Why Use an AquaDisk® Filter?

For many wastewater plants where secondary treatment is insufficient to meet increasingly stringent effluent criteria, tertiary treatment with filters is needed. AquaDisk® filter offers many advantages over traditional sand filters and other tertiary filters:

  • Achieves higher quality effluent with low TSS, NTU, and phosphorus levels
  • Higher solids and hydraulic loading rates
  • Lower backwash rates
  • Low headloss
  • Low maintenance
  • Small footprint (Up to 75% less than sand filters)
  • Expandable and easy to retrofit
  • Fully automatic PLC control system
  • Low overall cost of ownership due to low power, labor, and maintenance costs
  • A variety of different cloth types are available
  • Available in a package unit configuration

How Much Wastewater Can the AquaDisk® Process?

Each disk is two meters in diameter and can process up to 500,000 gallons of wastewater daily. Up to 24 disks can be installed in the AquaDisk® filter. The Aqua MiniDisk® is used on smaller applications, and the Aqua MegaDisk® is used at larger facilities.

What Are the Operator Requirements?

OptiFiber® Pile Cloth Media Filtration Pilot Trailer

The AquaDisk® Filter requires very little operator attention. The filter should be inspected daily. Total time should be approximately 30 minutes per week.

Is Pilot Testing Available?

Yes. Pilot test trailers are readily available. Due to Aqua’s extensive operating experience, pilot testing is unnecessary for most applications; however, testing can be crucial in selecting and optimizing filtration equipment for some unique municipal and industrial wastewaters. Pilot testing confirms that the equipment will work properly with the specific wastewater and provides good data on the expected hydraulic throughput, performance, backwash frequency, or the need for a polymer or other filter aid to add upstream of the filter.

Where Are the Filters Made?

The AquaDisk® Filters are manufactured and assembled in Rockford, IL.

How Many Are Installed?

There are approximately 1,000 units installed in North America and over 2,000 worldwide.

Aqua-Aerobic AquaDisk® Cloth Media Filter System

How Much Maintenance Is Required?

The AquaDisk® filter has one main wear component; the cloth media. Depending on the type of wastewater, hydraulic loading rates, solids loading rates, and backwash rates, the cloth media typically lasts five to seven years. As the cloth media wears, the backwash frequency increases, and the filter performance declines. Two men can install replacement media in 1 day for a 1 MGD filter with 4 disks.

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By Mike Gillespie, P.E., President at Envirep

For a complete list of our products, CLICK HERE to view our manufacturer’s line card.

Envirep/TLC is a leading manufacturer’s representative and service provider for municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment and pumping systems. We represent manufacturers of quality products, serving Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, Washington D.C., Northern Virginia, and part of West Virginia.

The Envirep staff of application engineers and field service technicians have decades of experience in equipment selection, design, operation, and maintenance. We are committed to providing our customers with prompt and professional service. We assist consulting engineers and end-users with technical support, from new plant design and plant upgrades to equipment replacements and service. Our experienced team is here to recommend the right product, part, and service for your application.