Disinfection by-product | EPFL Graph Search

Disinfection by-products (DBPs) are organic and inorganic compounds resulting from chemical reactions between organic and inorganic substances such as contaminates and chemical treatment disinfection agents, respectively, in water during water disinfection processes. Chlorinated disinfection agents such as chlorine and monochloramine are strong oxidizing agents introduced into water in order to destroy pathogenic microbes, to oxidize taste/odor-forming compounds, and to form a disinfectant residual so water can reach the consumer tap safe from microbial contamination. These disinfectants may react with naturally present fulvic and humic acids, amino acids, and other natural organic matter, as well as iodide and bromide ions, to produce a range of DBPs such as the trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs), bromate, and chlorite (which are regulated in the US), and so-called "emerging" DBPs such as halonitromethanes, haloacetonitriles, haloamides, halofuranones, iodo-acids such as iodoacetic acid, iodo-THMs (iodotrihalomethanes), nitrosamines, and others. Chloramine has become a popular disinfectant in the US, and it has been found to produce N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is a possible human carcinogen, as well as highly genotoxic iodinated DBPs, such as iodoacetic acid, when iodide is present in source waters. Residual chlorine and other disinfectants may also react further within the distribution network – both by further reactions with dissolved natural organic matter and with biofilms present in the pipes. In addition to being highly influenced by the types of organic and inorganic matter in the source water, the different species and concentrations of DBPs vary according to the type of disinfectant used, the dose of disinfectant, the concentration of natural organic matter and bromide/iodide, the time since dosing (i.e. water age), temperature, and pH of the water. Swimming pools using chlorine have been found to contain trihalomethanes, although generally they are below current EU standard for drinking water (100 micrograms per litre).

Determination of variables influencing the effectiveness of disinfection of surface water used for human consumption in Costa Rica

Clara Barret

Disinfection of water for human consumption is a challenge to ensure that water is free of pathogens and pollutants while avoiding the formation of potentially harmful undesirable products. The establishment of disinfection facilities must take into account the local context as well as technical and economic feasibility to ensure their sustainability. Chlorination is a disinfection technique that is widely used throughout the world and can take several forms. However, this technique can lead to the formation of disinfection by-products, some of which are harmful to human health and are a source of growing concern. This present report focuses on chlorination using tablets that release chlorine when eroded by contact with water. This study aimed at improving the understanding of the effect of various parameters on the efficiency of water chlorination in the Cartago region (Costa Rica). First a chlorination facility located in a village near Cartago was studied. The purpose of this assessment was to diagnose the current situation, determine the changes needed to improve it and implement them. It was showed that the chlorine concentration delivered by this facility was too low and variable. A new chlorinator and a tank allowing a better mixing of the chlorinated solution have been installed. These modifications have resulted in a higher and more homogeneous chlorine concentration in the storage tanks and an improvement in some water quality parameters. On the basis of the results, recommendations were made to ensure the proper functioning of the facility and the continuation of measurements during future campaigns. It should be noted that this was a short-term study, measurements over a longer period would allow more precise conclusions to be drawn. The second part of the project concerned 10 chlorination facilities in the Cartago region. The purpose was to compare the results of various parameters of surface and groundwater samples collected in the rainy/transition season in 2018 with those of the 2019 dry season. For the moment there were thus only two series of data but this has nevertheless allowed us to observe an improvement in certain parameters during the dry season. Future measurements campaigns will consolidate these results.

2019

Determination of variables influencing the effectiveness of disinfection of surface water used for human consumption in Costa Rica

Clara Barret

2019