Drinking Water & Desalination

When it comes to drinking water filtration and pre-treatment for desalination, choosing the right filter media is essential for performance, sustainability, and cost-efficiency. That’s where Filtralite® Pure comes in. Designed for both physical filtration and biological treatment, it outperforms traditional filter media like sand and anthracite.

Illustration of key stages in drinking water treatment, from water intake through pre-treatment, flocculation/coagulation, Filtralite filtration, and distribution to the water supply network

High Porosity for Higher Performance

Filtralite Pure filter media has a unique porous structure that creates ideal conditions for water to flow through the filter bed, enhancing its ability to retain contaminants. This characteristic, inherent to the lightweight expanded clay material, increases the available contact area, allowing significantly larger volumes of water to be filtered through the same footprint.

Compared to conventional filter media, such as sand and anthracite, Filtralite’s higher porosity delivers several advantages:

Lower initial head loss
Slower head loss build-up
Higher storage capacity
Reduced backwash rates
Lifespan up to 25 years

This means that water management facilities can significantly increase output and efficiency simply by switching to Filtralite media. Key benefits include:

Increased water production without extending existing installations
Lower energy consumption
Reduced operational costs
Less water extracted from natural sources
Average ROI: 3 years; in some cases under 6 months

Close-up of surface water with biofilm growth.

Optimized Biofilm Growth

Thanks to its high porosity, Filtralite Pure provides ideal conditions for biofilm growth in fixed bed water treatment. This makes it highly effective for treating raw water containing ammonia, manganese, iron, and other contaminants.

Large specific surface area for biofilm growth
High number of macropores
Abrasion-resistant
Proven flow rates up to 30 m³/h in biological filters.

Aerial view of large circular treatment tanks at a treatment facility

Advanced Pre-Treatment for Cost-Efficient Desalination

Stable, high-quality input water is essential for protecting RO membranes. Filtralite Pure reduces suspended solids and biofouling, improving membrane lifespan and system efficiency.

2 to 4 times less backwashes
Higher filtration velocity = more water, faster
Reduced membrane fouling and cartridge filter replacement
Works with higher SS levels in input water

Capex savings:

Half the footprint needed vs. sand
Smaller backwash pumps (due to lighter media)
Reduced structural costs (steel, concrete).

Diagram showing Filtralite single and dual media filters in a water treatment system

Designed for both Single and Dual Media Filters

Filtralite Pure is designed to deliver high-performance filtration in both mono and dual granular media filters for improved physical filtration, treating raw or coagulated water effectively. Its broad range of sizes and densities makes it easy to adapt to different filter types and treatment needs.

For single media filters, Filtralite Pure provides excellent filtration performance. For dual media filters, two types of Filtralite Pure with different densities and sizes can be combined. This configuration enhances filter run durations, production capacity, and overall efficiency.

Suitable for single media filters
Compatible with dual media configurations (e.g. Filtralite Mono-Multi and Mono-Multi Fine)

Need Help Choosing the Right Filter Media?

Whether you’re designing a new system or upgrading an existing one, our filtration experts are here to help you choose the best filter media combination for your needs.

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