A wide range of commercial membranes were tested and compared at laboratory scale in order to select the most appropriate for improving the final water quality of a real drinking water treatment plant (DWTP). Most of the membranes tested showed a reduction of trihalomethanes formation potential (THMFP) higher than 90%. In this work, several NF membranes were tested at laboratory scale in order to evaluate the most suitable NF membrane to reduce THMFP. NF270 (Dow Chemical) and ESNA1LF2 (Hydranautics) were finally selected based on their permeability and inorganic salt rejection. These two membranes were tested in parallel in a pilot-scale plant. The effectiveness in THMPF removal was evident for all membranes tested. The comparison of both membranes was carried out simultaneously in a pilot plant installed in the DWTP of Manresa. In the spiral wound configuration, both membranes also showed effective separation of trihalomethanes (THM) precursors, reducing THMFP in treated water at values of approximately 90%, depending on the season.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

The problem of pollutants in drinking water networks is neglected in many places all over the developing countries. This problem is normally caused by either direct pollution source such as organic carbon, or from the maceration pollutants of network materials. The heavy metals in the network facilities and the DOC from the wastewater leakage on the formation of toxic by-product in the water network and the rate of halogenated hydrocarbons formation in the drinking water network was studied. Results showed that water has the same constituents of pollutants similar to that before its being stored for relatively long periods. The results showed also that the trend of halogenated hydrocarbons formation is correlated, but not restricted, to the availability of total organic carbons. The amount of CCl2Br and CClBr2 were the highest, which indicate that most of the halogens are originated from natural sources. The Strontium values where the most dominant in all sampling points followed by Barium and Boron, which are the most abundant trace metals normally found in the groundwater in Tulkarm area