Process Control · Hydraulic & Organic Loading
Filter Loading Rate (Hydraulic)
Flow applied per unit filter area, used to size and check granular and cloth media filters.
Hydraulic Loading Rate = Flow (gpm) ÷ Filter Area (sq ft), commonly 2–5 gpm/sq ft for conventional sand or dual-media filters.
Exceeding design loading rate reduces contact time within the filter bed, allowing finer particles to pass through before backwash triggers.
Wet-weather peak flow often drives filter sizing more than average flow, since permit-required effluent turbidity limits still apply during storm events.
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