N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a disinfection by-product (DBP) that has been classified as a probable human carcinogen in multiple risk assessments. NDMA presence in drinking water is widespread and dependent on source water, disinfectant type, precursors, and water treatment strategies. The objectives of this study were to investigate NDMA formation potential in a modeled monochloramine water treatment plant (WTP) fed by seasonally and spatially varying source water; and to optimize DBP precursor removal by combining conventional and additional treatment techniques. After NDMA analysis, it was found that NDMA formation was significantly dependent on source water type and monochloramine contact time (CT); e.g., at 24 h CT, Cork Brook produced 12.2 ng/L NDMA and Bailey Brook produced 4.2 ng/L NDMA, compared with 72 h CT, Cork Brook produced 4.1 ng/L NDMA and Bailey Brook produced 3.4 ng/L NDMA. No correlations were found between traditional DBP precursors such as total organic carbon and total nitrogen, and the formation of NDMA. The laboratory bench-top treatment system was highly effective at removing traditional DBP precursors, highlighting the need for WTPs to alter their current treatment methods to best accommodate the complex system of DBP control.

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High loads of natural organic matter (NOM) in source water increase levels of toxic byproducts during disinfection, including trihalomethanes (THMs) which are formed when NOM is chlorinated. This study explores the efficacy of using UVC-LED as a primary disinfectant, with lower concentrations of chlorine used as a secondary disinfectant. Both treatment trains with conventional chlorination and UV irradiation with low chlorination reduced total coliforms and E. Coli counts to less than 1 Cfu/100 ml. UV with low chlorination produced approximately 4.6 times less THMs compared to conventional chlorination.

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