Case Study: City of LaSalle, Illinois extends filter life and cuts backwash needs with Kurita America’s Simul-Wash refurbishment

City of LaSalle refurbishes filters for 30 more years with Kurita America

The City of LaSalle, Illinois, faced a challenge with its aging water treatment plant. After nearly 30 years of service, the city's two horizontal pressure filters for iron and manganese removal were experiencing shorter filter runs and required more frequent backwashing. To avoid a full equipment replacement, the city partnered with vendor Kurita America to assess a major refurbishment of the existing system, which utilized Kurita's Simul-Wash technology.

Kurita America implemented a complete filter refurbishment package, replacing all critical internals including the media, underdrains, air scour grids, and installing new bolt-together Simul-Wash troughs. This solution allowed one filter to remain in service during construction, ensuring no disruption to the city's water supply. The results were immediate, delivering longer filter runs, less frequent backwashes, and an expected 30 years of additional system life. The Simul-Wash system also saves approximately 50% of backwash water compared to conventional methods.

City of LaSalle, Illinois