Control of halogenated by-products during surface water potabilisation

Abstract

Organic and inorganic halogenated by-products are generally formed when chlorine is used for surface water potabilisation. The main halogenated by-products relevant for drinking water production are trihalomethanes and bromate anion. Strategies to control and reduce such by-products in drinking water are presented and discussed. Replacing chlorine with ozone and removing natural organic matter on granular activated carbon (GAC) filters reduces trihalomethanes. Acidic pH reduces the formation of bromate anion when ozone is used for disinfection. By combining these strategies and operating them at an industrial level for surface water treatment, drinking water with excellent bacteriological quality and low halogenated by-products is produced and supplied to the customer. © 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.