Comparing ozonation and biofiltration treatment of source water with high cyanobacteria-derived organic matter: The case of a water treatment plant followed by a small-scale water distribution system
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Journal Volume
15
Journal Issue
12
Pages
-
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Abstract
High cyanobacteria-derived dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in source water can cause drinking water quality to deteriorate, producing bad taste, odor, toxins, and possibly elevated levels of disinfection byproduct (DBP) precursors. Conventional water treatment processes do not effectively remove algal organic substances. In this study, rapid-sand-filtration effluent from a water treatment plant on Kinmen Island, where serious cyanobacterial blooms occurred, was used to evaluate the DOC-and DBP-removal efficiency of ozonation and/or biofiltration. To simulate a small-scale water distribution system following water treatment, 24 h simulated distribution system (SDS) tests were conducted. The following DBPs were analyzed: trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs), haloacetonitriles (HANs), and trichloronitromethane (TCNM). Applying biological activated-carbon filtration (BAC) on its own achieved the greatest reduction in SDS-DBPs. Ozonation alone caused adverse effects by promoting THM, HAA, and TCNM formation. Ozonation and BAC filtration yielded better DOC removal (51%) than BAC filtration alone (41%). Considering the cost of ozonation, we suggest that when treating high cyanobacterial organic matter in water destined for a small-scale water distribution system, BAC biofiltration alone could be an efficient, economical option for reducing DBP precursors. If DOC removal needs to be improved, preceding ozonation could be incorporated. © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Other Subjects
chloropicrin; disinfectant agent; haloacetic acid; haloacetonitrile; organic carbon; organic matter; trihalomethane; unclassified drug; charcoal; ozone; Article; biofiltration; cyanobacterium; disinfection; effluent; feasibility study; ozonation; sand; simulation; waste component removal; waste water management; water supply; comparative study; cyanobacterium; eutrophication; filtration; isolation and purification; metabolism; procedures; sewage; water management; water pollutant; Charcoal; Cyanobacteria; Eutrophication; Filtration; Ozone; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Water Purification
Type
journal article