Trihalomethane and Haloacetic Acid Disinfection By-Products in Full-Scale Drinking Water Systems
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 131, Issue 4
Abstract
Trihalomethane (THM), haloacetic acid (HAA5), and total organic carbon (TOC) data provided by the Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources for drinking water treatment systems in the State of Missouri was analyzed for the years 1997–2001. These data indicated that a significant portion of systems exceeded the current regulatory limits of 80 and for THM and HAA5 in these years. The vast majority of the treatment plants exceeding the regulatory limits were small plants with service populations less than 10,000 people. No significant temporal trend in either THM or HAA5 was noted for the years 1997–2001. This work suggests that the proposed use of a locational running annual average may have a significant effect on compliance. The use of chloramines (combined chlorine) versus free chlorine as a residual disinfectant was shown to significantly reduce both THM and HAA5 in systems that treat their own water (primary systems), but did not have a significant effect in systems which purchase their water from primary systems (secondary systems). Comparison of finished water at the treatment plant versus in the distribution system suggested that a majority of THM and HAA5 may be produced within the plant as opposed to the distribution system. Hence, reducing these chlorinated disinfection byproducts within the treatment plant itself should be a key focus for achieving compliance, and supports Environmental Protection Agency disinfection byproducts compliance guidelines using enhanced coagulation.
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Acknowledgments
This project was sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Craig Adams is Director of the Environmental Research Center at the University of Missouri-Rolla. Jerry Lane was the Director of the Public Drinking Water Program in the Division of Environmental Quality at the MDNR at the time of this study. Terry Timmons is the Chemical Monitor Coordinator in the Division of Environmental Quality at the MDNR. Captain Tim Seitz and Captain Sally Levotch are officers in the United States Army and were nonthesis MS graduate students in the Environmental Engineering Program at the University of Missouri-Rolla at the time of this study.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 131 • Issue 4 • April 2005
Pages: 526 - 534
Copyright
© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: May 12, 2003
Accepted: Jun 7, 2004
Published online: Apr 1, 2005
Published in print: Apr 2005
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