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Abstract

A treatment process is disclosed for reducing the concentration of pathogenic microorganisms in a volume of wastewater that contains a substantial concentration of pathogenic microorganisms less than about 10 microns in size, less than about 5 microns in size, and less than about 0.1 microns in size. The process includes adding an agglomerate-promoting agent, such as a coagulant chemical, to the volume of wastewater such that the solids aggregates form in the volume of wastewater and include the pathogenic microorganisms. The volume of wastewater is then passed through a filter cloth membrane to separate greater than about 50.0% of the pathogenic microorganisms less than 10 microns in size from the volume of wastewater, to separate up to about 99.9% of the pathogenic microorganisms less than about 5 microns in size, and to separate up to about 99% of the pathogenic microorganisms less than about 0.1 microns in size. The filter cloth membrane used is constructed of random web needled polyester felt characterized by a free passage size through the filter cloth membrane of greater than about 5 microns. More specifically, the treatment process can separate greater than about 50.0% and up to about 99.9% of protozoan pathogens such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia from the volume of wastewater.

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First Claim