ADVANTAGES

According to EPA (2001):

• MFMicrofiltration (MF) membranes:
 Microfiltration membranes are typically hollow-fibers with a pore size range of approximately 0.1 – 0.2 μm (nominally 0.1 μm)./UFUltrafiltration (UF) membranes:
 Ultrafiltration membranes are typically hollow-fibers with a pore size range of approximately 0.01 – 0.05 μm (nominally 0.01 μm). systems are easier to operate than a conventionalConventional treatment:
Conventional treatment refers to older established water treatment process such as coagulation, flocculation, and rapid sand filters. coagulation, flocculation, granular media filtration plant especially for small systems

• MF sytems are capable of removing silt, clays, Giardia lambliaGiardia:
 According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, Giardia is a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal illness known as giardiasis. Giardia (also known as Giardia intestinalis, Giardia lamblia, or Giardia duodenalis) is found on surfaces or in soil, food, or water that has been contaminated with feces from infected humans or animals.  Giardia is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it tolerant to chlorine disinfection. While the parasite can be spread in different ways, water (drinking water and recreational water) is the most common method of transmission.  and CryptosporidiumCryptosporidium:
 According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis. Both the parasite and the disease are commonly known as "Crypto." There are many species of Cryptosporidium that infect humans and animals. The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very tolerant to chlorine disinfection. While this parasite can be spread in several different ways, water (drinking water and recreational water) is the most common method of transmission. Cryptosporidium is one of the most frequent causes of waterborne disease among humans in the United States. cysts, algae and some bacteria and potentially can remove organic matter when suitable pretreatmentPretreatment: 
In membrane treatment systems, pretreatment encompasses all treatment processes prior to the membrane, e.g., strainers, flocculation, and sedimentation. is used (National Drinking Water Clearinghouse 1999). UF systems can remove the contaminants that MF systems can plus can remove some viruses and organics.

• There is greater automation potential than conventional treatment plant and thus potentially fewer staff required.

• Less land area is required than for a conventional treatment plant.

• MF/UF systems can potentially be retrofited to existing conventional plants.

• There is greater reliability in meeting microbial treatment goals since membranes provide an absolute barrier as compared to a probabalistic barrier with conventional treatment.

• Construction and operating costs are competitive with conventional treatment plants