Tetra LP Block - Case Study 3

TETRA® LP BLOCK CASE STUDY
LOS BERROS, MEXICO
Dual parallel lateral filter underdrains selected to replace under

performing nozzle design at Mexico’s largest drinking water
treatment plant.
Located about 78 miles (125 kilometers) west of Mexico

City lies the municipality of Villa de Allende, home of
Mexico’s largest potable water treatment plant. The Los
Berros water treatment plant was constructed in 1980 by
the National Water Commission (Conagua), an agency
of the Mexican government that manages the nation’s
drinking water and wastewater treatment. The plant
provides 396.3 million gal/day (1.5 billion l/day) of water
to the country’s capital city, equivalent to approximately
25 percent of the total water supply of the western
hemisphere’s most populace metropolitan area.
Part of the Cutzamala River system, the treatment plant

draws water from seven reservoirs and pumps it to
Mexico City via a 79 mile (127 kilometer) aqueduct. Its
treatment capacity is 547 mgd (24 m³/s). Los Berros
consists of a tank for reception of raw wastewater, filters,
chlorine dosing, a Parshall meter (where the coagulant
is applied), flocculation, sedimentation and filtration.
The original plant filtration system incorporated a nozzle
underdrain system, which included five modules of 40
double bays.
For more information on TETRA® LP Block™ filter underdrains

visit www.severntrentservices.com
WE UNDERSTAND
DRINKING WATER FILTRATION
Underdrain system experiences poor backwash water

distribution
In 2010, Conagua decided to replace the nozzle
underdrain system at Los Berros. The plant had been
experiencing poor backwash water distribution as well
as frequent nozzle breakages. This caused significant
loss of sand media, which usually ended up in the
sedimentation tanks. Replacing the lost media and
emptying the sedimentation tanks, which wasted
vast amounts of valuable water, had become a costly
proposition. Conagua decided that refurbishment of the
filter underdrain and replacement of the media were
required. In searching for a replacement filter underdrain
system, the agency sought a more reliable underdrain
that would provide for better air and water distribution
during the backwash operation and a system that did
not require frequent parts replacement.
After investigating a number of filter underdrain

systems, Conagua selected the TETRA® LP Block™ low
profile dual parallel lateral filter underdrain blocks with
the GroutGrip™ design from Severn Trent Services.
The installation also included sludge collectors
and fiberglass reinforced plastic troughs for eight
sedimentation basins and eight new double-bay filters.
A total of 96 new filters were installed providing 25,696 ft²
(7,834 m²) of filtration capacity. Commissioning of
the refurbished plant took place in March 2012. The
consulting engineer for the project was Servicios y
Consultores S.C. (SEYCO) of Morelia, Mexico.
2 Severn Trent Services

Benefits of the LP Block technology
The LP Block provides superior distribution for both Virgilio Martinez, regional manager for Severn Trent
water and air, sequentially or concurrently. The blocks Services, said, “The LP block is about 5 inches (13 cm)
cover the floor of the gravity filters, supporting the filter lower than the plant’s previous underdrain system, which
media. Air is distributed evenly across the entire filter prevents the loss of media during backwash. The lower
bottom area to scour the media and to provide an air lift profile also increases hydraulic head during filtration.
which, with the water, removes the released solids from The system does not require pumps or elevated tanks
the media. This dual backwash action provides intense often needed with some other systems, so it requires
and extremely effective backwashing of the filter media. less power for operation.”
Importantly, the nozzle-less design ensures there are no
blockages that could potentially affect the performance According to Juan Daniel McNaught, manager of water
of the filter. And the system’s absence of moving parts and wastewater distribution for Conagua, “Conagua
eliminates wear and tear. performed a careful and complete analysis of available
underdrain technologies, and we compared the
The TETRA LP Blocks have become popular with plant advantages and disadvantages of each. With the TETRA
owners throughout the world for their low profile, low LP Block technology, we believe we have made the best
headloss and easy installation, either as a retrofit or choice in terms of performance and cost and based
for new filter underdrain applications. The robust, yet upon the structural requirements and functionality of the
lightweight blocks, are injection moulded and made from Los Berros plant.”
high-density polyethylene. They are easy to assemble
and ensure superior distribution of both air and water for
effective backwash, exceptional installation strength and
maintenance-free life.
The GroutGrip design helps to alleviate the buoyancy

inherent in conventional filter underdrain block designs.
In fact, the LP Block features a pull-out strength one
and three quarter times that of a conventional filter
underdrain block design. Additionally, the wide, low-
profile design requires the installation of fewer blocks to
cover a filter floor. Therefore, fewer joints are created and
less grout is needed.
Severn Trent Services 3

Severn Trent Services
Park West 1, Ste 600 Cliff Mine Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15275
United States
T: +1 412 788 8300
Toll: +1 800 364 1600
F: +1 412 788 8303
650.5600.0 OCT/12
E: info@severntrentservices.com
www.severntrentservices.com
® Registered Trademark. © 2012. All Rights Reserved.

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TETRA® LP BLOCK CASE STUDY

LOS BERROS, MEXICO

Dual parallel lateral ﬁlter underdrains selected to replace under

Located about 78 miles (125 kilometers) west of Mexico

Part of the Cutzamala River system, the treatment plant

For more information on TETRA® LP Block™ ﬁlter underdrains

Underdrain system experiences poor backwash water

After investigating a number of ﬁlter underdrain

2 Severn Trent Services

The GroutGrip design helps to alleviate the buoyancy

Severn Trent Services 3

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