The control of disinfection by-products in water treatment plants and distribution systems.

Abstract

The development of techniques to disinfect drinking water is seen as one o f the major achievements o f the nineteenth century. However, with the advancement and development of analytical techniques, substances formed from disinfection reactions are now a cause for public concern and have resulted in the development and application o f alternative disinfection methods and technologies to control potentially harmful disinfection byproducts. Disinfection is critical to ensuring the safety o f drinking water. It must not be compromised by efforts used to control disinfection by-products. The study details the current methods, which may be used for the control o f disinfection by-products at water treatment plants and distribution systems and examines the effectiveness of their application. This study highlights the disinfection practices currently carried out in participating water supply regions in Connaught, Ireland. It establishes that chlorination is the sole process used to adequately disinfect drinking water and is achieved through the application o f chlorine. The use o f alternative methods and disinfecting agents is not considered in the treatment o f drinking water in public water treatment plants that participated in this study. The control o f disinfection by-products at water treatment plants and distribution systems The study also reveals that proactive measures, which may be taken to control and limit the formation o f disinfection by-products, are not considered in the Connaught region. It has been established that only reactive monitoring of substances such as bromate and total trihalomethanes is routinely undertaken by the majority of local authorities in the Connaught region. It is apparent from the findings of this study that only basic water treatment processes are relied upon to control the formation of disinfection by-products at water treatment plants, while flushing is the principle method employed for the cleaning o f water distribution pipes.