What are screens located on an intake structure designed to remove?

Screens located on an intake structure serve the crucial function of protecting the water treatment facility from larger debris that could damage equipment or impair the treatment process. Their primary purpose is to filter out sticks, logs, and other sizable debris that may be present in the source water before it enters the treatment system.

By preventing these large objects from entering the system, screens ensure that the operational efficiency of pumps and other machinery is maintained, ultimately contributing to effective and reliable water treatment processes. While smaller debris and fine sediment are also present in water sources, they are usually handled by other forms of filtration or sedimentation later in the treatment process. Furthermore, pharmaceutical contaminants are not typically removed by screens, as they require specific advanced treatment methods that address dissolved substances rather than bulk material. Thus, screens' role is specifically focused on identifying and eliminating large particulate matter from the water intake.