Is direct continuous filtration thé solution to treat surface water?

The straight answer is: no, not always, but sometimes it might be! If it is suitable it is a wonderfully simple process set-up: after feed strainers you apply a continuous sand filter with in inline feed dosing of coagulants. The filter acts as a flocculator and a floc separator, resulting in a stable high quality filtrate.

But how do we know when this is feasible? We tried to offer you some guidance.
 

For surface water treatment the solids loading to the filter is based upon variable feed water quality, as the river water quality may vary considerably with respect to turbidity, colour and suspended solids. The continuous filtration is capable of handling high solids loadings and may therefore be used as a single process step avoiding the need for pre-treatment by settling or dissolved air flotation. In order to efficiently remove colloidal matter an in line dosing of flocculants is normally projected.

 
However this is not always applicable, so you should be careful. We have drafted a process selection diagram, related to feed turbidity and feed organic material (expressed in chlorophyll-a). You can see there is a particular sweet spot for enhanced direct continuous filtration. If your feed surface water quality is within this operating window, you might consider this process. The result is a very simple, reliable and robust treatment process, with a small (carbon) footprint.