Linking Organic Matter Source to Disinfection Byproduct Formation in Drinking Water Supplies

Abstract

This study is aimed at determining how the sources of organic matter in Newfoundland water supplies are related to the generation of disinfection byproducts (DBP) following chlorination. It will first focus on the identification and testing of key water supplies representing a range in reported DBP formation to verify that differences in DBP formation are not related to chlorination practice. Second, DBP contaminants will be identified and quantified at each site and sources of organic matter will be identified and characterized. These organic matter sources will then be used in a series of experiments to determine how the organic matter from the varied sources differ in their potential to generate DBPs. Determining what links exist between the source of organic matter and its DBP formation potential will provide critical insight into the factors regulating an important human health hazard.

It is not sufficient to rely entirely upon the levels of the two classes of DBPs currently monitored in drinking water since such data only provides an individual measure of these contaminants. Knowing the key factors responsible for the generation of these contaminants will provide a means to predict future risk. Both climatological and related hydrological changes can impact the sources contributing to drinking water supply organic matter and potential DBP formation. If we understand the relationship between the source of organic matter and DBP formation potential we would be better poised to predict locations and periods when water supplies would likely exhibit the greatest DBP formation potential.