No abstract

Highlights A SPME and GC-MS/MS based analytical method was developed and optimized for 18 T&O compounds. Effect of different holding times on the stability of T&O compounds was evaluated. Preservation with acid increased the holding times of aldehydes, ketones, alcohols and esters. Eight out of 18 T&O compounds were detected and quantified during the occurrence study with 13 drinking water utilities.

Taste and odor (T&O) compounds in source waters can enter drinking water utilities causing customer concerns about the water quality if not removed during treatment. While there has been extensive research on two common T&O compounds, 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) and geosmin, research on non-MIB/ geosmin compounds has been limited. This study evaluated the treatability of 16 non-MIB/geosmin compounds, 2-MIB, and geosmin using powdered activated carbon (PAC). Four types of PAC were tested: two bituminous-based, one lignite-based, and one wood-based PAC. Among the 18 compounds, PAC was effective for 15 compounds with at least 90% removal with typical PAC dosing, but was not suitable for dimethyl disulfide, ethyl methyl dioxolane, and cis-3-hexenol. The bituminous-based PACs showed greater removal with higher adsorption rates compared to the lignite-and wood-based PACs. The adsorption behavior of T&O compounds varied based on their physical and chemical characteristics, for example, hydrophobicity, and nature of functional groups.