Characteristics of Removing Disinfection By-Product Precursors by Conventional Processes

Objective Characteristics of removing disinfection by-product precursors by conventional processes were studied in a certain city that lives on surface water. Methods Gas chromatography was employed to determine trihalomethane and haloacetic acids in water. Sampling time was from January to April in 2003 and there were 5 sampling sites each time. Results Trihalomethane formation potential(THMFP) in the source water was 15.00-39.83 μg/L and in the supply drinking water it was 13.42-13.85 μg/L. It showed that the conventional water treatment processes played a positive role in controlling THMFP. Haloacetic acids formation potential(HAAFP) in source water changed from 61.79 μg/L to 78.72 μg/L and the average removing rate of HAAFP by conventional processes was 44.13%. Conclusion Further studies are needed about organic matters in different kinds of source water in different areas and reactivity of DBP precursors with chlorine and DBPs generating ability. All these studies will contribute to control DBPs in drinking water.