Contribution of Wastewater to DBP Formation

In addition to water recycling and reclamation programs, indirect potable reuse of wastewater has occurred as upstream wastewater treatment plants discharge water into rivers or lakes that serve as downstream drinking water supplies. Wastewater treatment plants are sources of DBPs, if chlorine disinfection is practiced, and DBP precursors. Many different biological, physical, and chemical unit processes are employed by wastewater treatment plants, which can produce a wide range of treated water qualities.


The objectives of this project were to (1) determine the formation, occurrence, and control of disinfection by-products (DBPs) and DBP precursors in wastewater and their impact on downstream drinking water sources; (2) evaluate the fate and transport of wastewater-derived DBPs and precursors in receiving waters, as well as their removal through different drinking water unit processes; and (3) evaluate treatment strategies at wastewater and drinking water treatment plants to reduce DBPs that best balance societal benefits. The researchers (1) conducted a full-scale survey of wastewater and drinking water plants, as well as effluent-impacted rivers, lakes, and groundwaters; (2) compiled a database of first-principle fate-and-transport parameters for DBPs; (3) performed DBP and DBP precursor fate-and-transport bench-scale experiments; (4) evaluated the treatability of EfOM with drinking water treatment processes.; (5) used simple and advanced NOM characterization techniques; (6) measured regulated and emerging DBPs, as well as conducted formation potential tests; and (7) analyzed for a pharmaceutical (primidone) that is a conservative tracer of wastewater influences in drinking water supplies. This report will be available as a Pay-Per-View item only