There is a growing emphasis on limiting the concentrations and number of chemicals that are
applied during water treatment. By physically removing the pathogens, membrane filtration can
significantly reduce chemical addition, such as chlorination.
Another application for the technology is for removal of natural synthetic organic matter to
reduce fouling potential. In its normal operation, MF removes little or no organic matter;
however, when pretreatment is applied, increased removal of organic material can occur. MF
can be used as a pretreatment to RO or NF to reduce fouling potential. Both RO and NF have
been traditionally employed to desalt or remove hardness from groundwater.