Citric acid cleaning: Improving Roughing filter performance at Nepean WFP
| Wednesday, September 9, 2026 |
| 2:10 PM - 2:30 PM |
| McBerns Papers Room - Newcastle Racecourse |
Overview
Sydney Water - Divya Annangi, Production Officer
Details
Learn how the Nepean Water Filtration Plant restored roughing filter performance using a safe, targeted citric acid wash. Rainfall-driven changes in raw water quality can increase colour and turbidity, while accumulated lime scale, ferric deposits and polymers progressively restrict particulate capture, hydraulic capacity and airflow. After testing several cleaning agents, the team selected food-grade citric acid at 2.5%. Sampling confirmed active dissolution of scale-forming deposits, with metal concentrations returning to or below baseline after flushing. The treatment produced no residual impacts and improved roughing filter airflow by approximately 122%, significantly strengthening backwash efficiency and overall filter operation at the plant.
Speaker
Divya Annangi
Production Officer
Sydney Water
Citric acid cleaning: Improving Roughing filter performance at Nepean WFP
2:10 PM - 2:30 PMBiography
I am a Production Officer at Nepean Water filtration plant- Sydney Water, I support treatment processes, lead workflow improvements, and strengthens operational quality. I am a biotechnology and water‑quality professional with over 12 years of experience across molecular diagnostics, regulatory compliance, and water operations. I had worked as a Research Coordinator and Research assistant in my previous roles contributing to method development, multi‑centre clinical research, and compliance with ISO9001, GLP, and NATA ISO17025. I hold a Master’s in Biotechnology and am completing an M.Phil study bringing strong technical expertise and cross‑functional leadership to advancing water and public‑health outcomes.
