When evaluating water treatment solutions for industrial or large-scale projects, turbidity reduction is often the first performance metric discussed. Turbidity, measured in NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units), is an important indicator of water clarity and compliance with discharge standards. But NTU alone doesn’t tell the full story.

For project managers, engineers, and environmental specialists, a complete assessment of flocculant performance must go beyond NTU to include other key measurements, operational considerations, and long-term outcomes.

Understanding NTU and Its Limitations

What NTU Measures
NTU is a measure of the cloudiness or haziness of water caused by suspended particles. The higher the NTU, the murkier the water. For example, untreated tailings pond water might exceed 500 NTU, while regulatory limits for discharge can be under 5 NTU.

Why NTU Alone Isn’t Enough
While NTU provides a quick visual and numerical indication of water clarity, it doesn’t account for:

• Dissolved contaminants that are invisible to the naked eye
• Hydrocarbons, metals, or other pollutants that affect water safety
• The stability of the treated water over time (will it re-suspend?)
• Treatment speed and operational efficiency

The Role of PPM in Evaluating Treatment

PPM (Parts Per Million) measures the concentration of a specific substance in water — for example, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, or other pollutants. In many cases, NTU and PPM must be evaluated together to confirm the water is both visually and chemically safe.

TigerFloc’s field testing, for example, has shown the ability to:

• Reduce turbidity from 500 NTU to 8 NTU in 30 seconds with only 1 gram of product
• Lower contaminant concentrations from ~200 PPM to 10–15 PPM in treated samples

These results demonstrate both visual clarity and chemical safety — a critical combination for industrial compliance.

Operational Metrics That Matter

Beyond NTU and PPM, large-scale water treatment projects should consider:

1. Treatment Speed
Faster settling times mean less labour, shorter holding times, and reduced storage requirements.

2. Dosage Efficiency
Products that achieve results with minimal dosing reduce material costs, transport needs, and storage requirements — especially valuable in remote or high-volume projects.

3. Versatility
The ability to treat multiple contaminant types in a single step saves time and reduces operational complexity.

4. Scalability
A solution must work as effectively for 1,000 litres as it does for 1 million litres, with predictable results at both scales.

Measuring Field Performance

In real-world settings, measuring flocculant performance involves a combination of lab testing and on-site observation:

• Jar tests to determine optimal dosing for the site’s specific water chemistry
• Inline turbidity monitoring for continuous performance tracking during discharge
• Periodic sampling for lab analysis of specific contaminants (metals, hydrocarbons, etc.)

This dual approach ensures that results are both visible and quantifiable.

Why TigerFloc Meets Industrial Standards

TigerFloc is formulated for industrial performance:

• Natural clay minerals bind suspended solids
• Silica-based coagulants rapidly clump particles together for fast settling
• Eco-friendly and non-toxic composition allows use in eco-sensitive areas without introducing harmful byproducts

Its proven NTU and PPM reductions, combined with low dosage requirements, make it a cost-effective and reliable choice for industries such as mining, oil sands, construction, and agriculture.

Conclusion

NTU is an important part of evaluating water treatment performance, but it’s not the whole picture. Large-scale and industrial projects demand a multi-metric approach, assessing visual clarity, contaminant removal, operational efficiency, and scalability.

With TigerFloc, operators can achieve both the clarity and compliance they need — supported by field-proven results and measurable data. Contact Floc Systems to learn how TigerFloc can meet the performance requirements of your next industrial water treatment project.