Implementing Treatment Sequences to Promote Reduction of DBPs in Small Drinking Water Systems

The performance of three drinking water treatment sequences found in small community systems in reducing disinfection by-product precursor concentrations and the corresponding disinfection by-product formation potential was evaluated. Raw water quality and its potential for effective removal were characterized by the specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) components of absorbance of ultraviolet light at 254 nm wavelength (UV254) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The results demonstrate that, for the source water qualities tested (hydrophobic SUVA with moderate DOC content, 2.0 to 4.8 L/(mg.m) and 4.1 to 6.3 mg DOC/L), there was a tendency to produce a higher percentage of total trihalomethane (TTHM) over the five regulated species of haloacetic acid (HAA5). The treatment sequence and chemical selection play a critical role in the ability of a small community system operator to achieve compliance with the concentration of regulated disinfection by-products. For the waters tested ferric chloride coagulants perform better at reducing the higher molecular weight, hydrophobic organic precursors. Powdered activated carbon does not perform as well with these source waters unless its application is followed by a clarification process that effectively forms a sludge blanket. This research provides additional criteria for linking source water quality with treatment sequence for sustainable management of disinfection by-product (DBP) compliance.