Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Aluminium iron (III) sulfate

This document is applicable to aluminium iron (III) sulfate used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. It describes the characteristics of aluminium iron (III) sulfate and specifies the requirements for aluminium iron (III) sulfate and refers to the corresponding analytical methods. It gives information on its use in water treatment. It also determines the rules relating to safe handling (Annex B) and use of aluminium iron (III) sulfate (Annex A).

Produkte zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den menschlichen Gebrauch - Aluminium-Eisen(III)-sulfat

Dieses Dokument gilt für Aluminium-Eisen(III)-sulfat zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den menschlichen Gebrauch. Es beschreibt die Eigenschaften von Aluminium-Eisen(III)-sulfat und legt die Anforderungen für Aluminium-Eisen(III)-sulfat fest und verweist auf die entsprechenden Analysenverfahren. Es enthält Angaben für die Anwendung von Aluminium-Eisen(III)-sulfat in der Wasseraufbereitung. Es legt darüber hinaus Regeln für die sichere Handhabung (Anhang B) und Verwendung (Anhang A) von Aluminium-Eisen(III)-sulfat fest.

Produits chimiques utilisés pour le traitement de l'eau destinée à la consommation humaine - Sulfate d'aluminium et de fer (III)

Le présent document est applicable au sulfate d’aluminium et de fer (III) utilisé pour le traitement de l’eau destinée à la consommation humaine. Il spécifie les caractéristiques et les exigences du sulfate d’aluminium et de fer (III) et fait référence aux méthodes d’analyse correspondantes. Il donne des informations pour son emploi dans le traitement de l’eau. Il fixe également les règles relatives à la sécurité de manipulation (Annexe B) et d’utilisation du sulfate d’aluminium et de fer (III) (Annexe A).

Kemikalije, ki se uporabljajo za pripravo pitne vode - Aluminijev železov (III) sulfat

General Information

Status
Not Published
Publication Date
11-Jan-2027
Technical Committee
CEN/TC 164 - Water supply
Current Stage
4060 - Closure of enquiry - Enquiry
Start Date
16-Oct-2025
Due Date
18-Nov-2025
Completion Date
16-Oct-2025

Relations

Effective Date
29-Jun-2022

prEN 887:2025 - Aluminium Iron (III) Sulfate for Drinking Water Treatment

Overview

The European standard prEN 887:2025, developed by the CEN Technical Committee CEN/TC 164, specifies essential criteria for aluminium iron (III) sulfate used in the treatment of water intended for human consumption. This updated draft standard supersedes EN 887:2016 and aligns with recent amendments in the Drinking Water Directive. It addresses the chemical and physical characteristics, purity requirements, safe handling protocols, and practical application methods of aluminium iron (III) sulfate as a coagulant agent in water purification.

This standard is crucial for water treatment professionals, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies ensuring the quality and safety of potable water through effective chemical treatment.

Key Topics

  • Chemical Identification

    • Aluminium iron (III) sulfate, often referred to as aluminium and iron sulfate, is a slightly acidic hydrated salt.
    • Empirical chemical formula: (Al_x Fe_1-x)_2(SO_4)_3·nH_2O, where x ranges from 0.70 to 0.95.
    • CAS Registry Numbers and EINECS references are specified for traceability and regulation compliance.
  • Physical and Chemical Properties

    • Available in various commercial forms: solid hydrated forms (slabs, kibbled, granulated) and aqueous solutions.
    • Appearance ranges from yellow to brown, with solution densities varying according to aluminium and iron content.
    • Solubility and viscosity depend on chemical composition, with specific parameters outlined for typical commercial products.
    • Slightly acidic nature with hydrolytic behavior forming aluminium and iron hydroxides at low concentrations.
  • Purity and Composition

    • Minimum purity criteria are specified, focusing on limiting impurities such as heavy metals and unwanted by-products.
    • Purity impacts both treatment efficiency and water safety.
  • Safety and Handling

    • Annex B (normative) details safety rules relating to the handling, storage, and emergency procedures, including first aid and spill management.
    • Proper labelling and transportation conditions ensure the safe delivery and use in compliance with EU legislation.
  • Analytical Methods

    • Reference to EN 1302 and EN 17215 standards for aluminium- and iron-based chemical analysis methods ensure quality control and regulatory compliance.

Applications

  • Water Treatment for Human Consumption

    • Primarily used as a coagulant to remove suspended solids, organic matter, and contaminants.
    • The product is applied in water treatment plants to improve clarity, reduce turbidity, and aid in the removal of pathogens and chemical pollutants.
    • Dose recommendations and application methods vary based on local water quality and treatment objectives, typically administered as aqueous solutions.
  • Coagulation and Flocculation

    • Aluminium iron (III) sulfate acts by destabilizing colloidal particles, facilitating aggregation into larger flocs removable by sedimentation or filtration.
    • Helps achieve regulatory compliance with drinking water quality standards by improving physical and microbiological parameters.
  • Safety-Compliant Implementation

    • Use within recommended pH ranges prevents precipitate formation and maintains coagulant efficiency.
    • Adherence to national and European regulations for dosage and residual limits safeguards public health.

Related Standards

  • EN 1302 - Aluminium-based coagulants: Analytical methods essential for assessing purity and concentration of aluminium components.
  • EN 17215 - Iron-based coagulants: Analytical methods essential for assessing purity and concentration of iron components.
  • European Drinking Water Directive - Regulations guiding permissible chemicals and contaminants in water treatment.
  • CEN/TC 164 - Broader water supply standards committee, ensuring harmonization of water treatment chemicals and methods across Europe.

Adherence to prEN 887:2025 ensures that aluminium iron (III) sulfate products used in water treatment meet stringent safety, quality, and environmental requirements-ultimately supporting the delivery of safe, clean drinking water to consumers throughout the European Union and EFTA regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

prEN 887 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Aluminium iron (III) sulfate". This standard covers: This document is applicable to aluminium iron (III) sulfate used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. It describes the characteristics of aluminium iron (III) sulfate and specifies the requirements for aluminium iron (III) sulfate and refers to the corresponding analytical methods. It gives information on its use in water treatment. It also determines the rules relating to safe handling (Annex B) and use of aluminium iron (III) sulfate (Annex A).

This document is applicable to aluminium iron (III) sulfate used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. It describes the characteristics of aluminium iron (III) sulfate and specifies the requirements for aluminium iron (III) sulfate and refers to the corresponding analytical methods. It gives information on its use in water treatment. It also determines the rules relating to safe handling (Annex B) and use of aluminium iron (III) sulfate (Annex A).

prEN 887 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 71.100.80 - Chemicals for purification of water. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

prEN 887 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 887:2016. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

prEN 887 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2025
Kemikalije, ki se uporabljajo za pripravo pitne vode - Aluminijev železov (III) sulfat
Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Aluminium iron
(III) sulfate
Produkte zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den menschlichen Gebrauch - Aluminium-
Eisen(III)-sulfat
Produits chimiques utilisés pour le traitement de l'eau destinée à la consommation
humaine - Sulfate d'aluminium et de fer (III)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 887
ICS:
13.060.20 Pitna voda Drinking water
71.100.80 Kemikalije za čiščenje vode Chemicals for purification of
water
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2025
ICS 71.100.80 Will supersede EN 887:2016
English Version
Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human
consumption - Aluminium iron (III) sulfate
Produits chimiques utilisés pour le traitement de l'eau Produkte zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den
destinée à la consommation humaine - Sulfate menschlichen Gebrauch - Aluminium-Eisen(III)-sulfat
d'aluminium et de fer (III)
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 164.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 887:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Description . 6
4.1 Identification . 6
4.1.1 Chemical name . 6
4.1.2 Synonym or common name . 6
4.1.3 Relative molecular mass . 6
4.1.4 Empirical formula . 6
4.1.5 Chemical formula . 6
)
4.1.6 CAS Registry Number . 7
)
4.1.7 EINECS reference . 7
4.2 Commercial forms . 7
4.3 Physical properties . 7
4.3.1 Appearance . 7
4.3.2 Density . 7
4.3.3 Solubility in water . 7
4.3.4 Vapour pressure at 20 °C . 7
)
4.3.5 Boiling point at 100 kPa . 8
4.3.6 Crystallization point . 8
4.3.7 Specific heat . 8
4.3.8 Viscosity (dynamic) . 8
4.3.9 Critical temperature . 8
4.3.10 Critical pressure . 8
4.3.11 Physical hardness . 8
4.4 Chemical properties . 8
5 Purity criteria . 9
5.1 General . 9
5.2 Composition of commercial product . 9
5.3 Impurities and main by-products . 9
5.4 Chemical parameters . 9
6 Test methods . 10
6.1 Sampling . 10
6.2 Analyses . 10
7 Labelling - Transportation - Storage . 10
7.1 Means of delivery . 10
)
7.2 Labelling according to the EU legislation . 10
7.3 Transportation regulations and labelling . 11
7.4 Marking . 12
7.5 Storage . 12
7.5.1 General . 12
7.5.2 Long term stability . 12
7.5.3 Storage incompatibilities . 12
Annex A (informative)  General information on aluminium iron (III) sulfate . 13
A.1 Origin . 13
A.1.1 Raw materials . 13
A.1.2 Manufacturing process . 13
A.2 Quality of commercial product . 13
A.3 Use . 15
A.3.1 Function . 15
A.3.2 Form in which it is used . 15
A.3.3 Treatment dose . 15
A.3.4 Means of application . 15
A.3.5 Secondary effects . 15
A.3.6 Removal of excess product . 16
Annex B (normative) General rules relating to safety . 17
B.1 Rules for safe handling and use . 17
B.2 Emergency procedures . 17
B.2.1 First aid . 17
B.2.2 Spillage . 17
B.2.3 Fire . 17
Bibliography . 18

European foreword
This document (prEN 887:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 164 “Water supply”, the
secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 887:2016.
Significant technical differences between this edition and EN 887:2016 are as follows:
a) update of information related to Drinking Water Directive.

Introduction
In respect of potential adverse effects on the quality of water intended for human consumption, caused by the
product covered by this document:
a) this document provides no information as to whether the product may be used without restriction in any
of the Member States of the EU or EFTA;
b) it should be noted that, while awaiting the adoption of verifiable European criteria, existing national
regulations concerning the use and/or the characteristics of this product remain in force.
NOTE Conformity with this document does not confer or imply acceptance or approval of the product in any of the
Member States of the EU or EFTA. The use of the product covered by this document is subject to regulation or control by
National Authorities.
1 Scope
This document is applicable to aluminium iron (III) sulfate used for treatment of water intended for human
consumption. It describes the characteristics of aluminium iron (III) sulfate and specifies the requirements for
aluminium iron (III) sulfate and refers to the corresponding analytical methods. It gives information on its use
in water treatment. It also determines the rules relating to safe handling (Annex B) and use of aluminium iron
(III) sulfate (Annex A).
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 1302, Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption — Aluminium-based
coagulants — Analytical methods
EN 17215, Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption — Iron-based coagulants —
Analytical methods
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
4 Description
4.1 Identification
4.1.1 Chemical name
Aluminium iron (III) sulfate.
4.1.2 Synonym or common name
Aluminium and iron sulfate.
4.1.3 Relative molecular mass
Variable (see 4.1.4).
4.1.4 Empirical formula
(Al Fe ) (SO ) where x is 0,70 to 0,95.
x 1-x 2 4 3
4.1.5 Chemical formula
xAl (SO ) ·(1 - x)Fe (SO ) ·nH O where n is variable and x varies from 0,70 to 0,95.
2 4 3 2 4 3 2
)
4.1.6 CAS Registry Number
The following is a list of CAS Registry Numbers for the components:
Al (SO ) :  10043-01-3;
2 4 3
Al (SO ) ·14H O:
...

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