Improved removals of trihalomethane precursors by small water supply systems

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1989 · Journal of the New England Water Works Association; (USA)

OSTI ID:5872444

Collins, M R; Eighmy, T T; Fenstermacher, J M; Spanos, S K; Spencer, C M ^[1]

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1. New Hampshire Univ., Durham (USA)

Selected slow sand filter modifications that could enhance the principal removal mechanisms of biodegradation and adsorption and would not compromise the simplicity of the treatment process were explored in research conducted at the University of New Hampshire. The modifications were evaluated for their potential to improve removal of trihalomethanes (THM) precursor material and particulate matter over conventionally operated slow sand filters. The results suggest that those water utilities that are considering slow sand filtration and want to improve THM precursor removals construct filter units that provide the following capabilities: increase biodegradation potential by increasing bacterial populations with filter depth through incorporating a cleaning procedure that harrows the filter media; or increase adsorption removals by adding granular activated carbon or anionic resin as a filter media amendment. THM precursor removals by slow sand filters may be independent of organic loading rate suggesting that smaller filter units operating at high filtration rates may be used to offset construction costs. However, the savings in construction costs may be lost if an efficient filter cleaning procedure is not correspondingly implemented since increased removal rates will increase headloss development. 24 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 5872444
• Journal Information: Journal of the New England Water Works Association; (USA), Vol. 103:2; ISSN 0028-4939
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
REMOVAL
WATER SUPPLY
DECONTAMINATION
ACTIVATED CARBON
ADSORPTION
BIODEGRADATION
FILTRATION
MATERIALS RECOVERY
PARTICULATES
PRECURSOR
ADSORBENTS
CARBON
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLEANING
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
MANAGEMENT
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SORPTION
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology