Trihalomethanes formation in point of use surface water disinfection with chlorine or chlorine dioxide tablets

Abstract

In remote or underdeveloped areas, natural disaster emergencies and armed conflict zones, point-of-use surface water disinfection with chlorine tablets provides microbiologically safe water, but disinfection by-products such as trihalomethanes (THMs) are formed. While the health risks from THMs are much less than the risks from consuming microbiologically unsafe water, it is nonetheless desirable to understand and minimise THM formation. We show that THM concentrations in surface water samples from the Northern British Isles disinfected with chlorine tablets increased with contact time, in some cases to significantly exceed EU, US EPA and WHO drinking water guidance values after more than an hour. More stagnant water from ponds and lochs had higher THM formation than river water. Doubling the chlorine tablet dose slightly enhanced THM formation, and passing water through coffee filter paper reduced it. Chlorine dioxide tablets produced minimal amounts of THMs.