Frequently Asked Questions

Media filters are used to protect water quality in streams, rivers, and lakes. They can be effective at removing pollutants in stormwater such as suspended solids and phosphorus. Filter media are the portion of a filtering system that separates unwanted particles from the substance being filtered. The type of material used as a filter medium is dependant upon the material being filtered…

Media filtration is the physical capture of pollutants and adsorption of pollutants through chemical reaction. Commonly, media filtration systems are composed of Treated sand-KT, Manganese Dioxide, Anthracite, or other similar materials. Carbon is also a common media found in these types of filtration systems. Media filters work by having the water pass over and through the media. The pollutants become trapped in the voids of the media particles and on the surfaces of the media particles. Another way media filtration works is the pollutants are removed through chemical and molecular action, or cation exchange. This process is commonly used in media filters that target nutrient and metal removal. To be as successful as possible in pollutant removal with media filtration, it is important to know the goals in order to select the appropriate media gradation and composition…

We consider filter media to have an average life of 15 years with a range of 10 to 20 years depending on site-specific factors, like backwash type and frequency, operational frequency, media type and condition, and overall filter performance. Unless there is a major hydraulic upset, filter media does not simply fail.

• Know what the purpose of each chemical feed is
• Monitor backwashes
• Clean the media
• Dispose of the media if arsenic or radium is present