Fate of natural organic matter at a full-scale Drinking Water Treatment Plant in Greece

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the fate of natural organic matter (NOM) and subsequent changes during the various treatment processes at a full-scale Drinking Water Treatment Plant (DWTP). Monthly sampling campaigns were conducted for 1 year at six sites along DWTP of Thessaloniki, Northern Greece including raw water from the Aliakmonas River that supplies DWTP and samples from various treatment processes (pre-ozonation, coagulation, sand filtration, ozonation, and granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration). The concentration of NOM and its characteristics as well as the removal efficiency of various treatment processes on the basis of dissolved organic carbon, UV absorbance, specific ultra-violet absorbance, fluorescence intensity, hydrophobicity, biodegradable dissolved organic carbon, and formation potential of chlorination by-products trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) were studied. The concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in reservoir of the Aliakmonas River ranged from 1.46 to 1.84 mg/L, exhibiting variations regarding UV, fluorescence, and hydrophobic character through the year. Along DWTP, a significant reduction of aromatic, fluorophoric, and hydrophobic character of NOM was observed resulting in significant elimination of THM (63%) and HAAs (75%) precursors.

Performance of novel media in stratified filters to remove organic carbon from lake water

“…This indicates that in a full-scale treatment works, the novel designs presented in this study could be very effective. Papageorgiou et al (2016) also noted an increase in SUVA following sand filtration, again reflective in the results of the current study.…”

“…The same study reported better DOC removal, with efficiencies of 61%, starting from a DOC concentration, similar to this study, of 11.2 mg L -1 . Results from a WTP in Greece reported a SUVA reduction of 2.22 to 1.26 L mg -1 m -1 (Papageorgiou et al, 2016), from the beginning of the treatment plant until the end, using pre-ozonation, sand filters, ozonation and GAC filters. This indicates that in a full-scale treatment works, the novel designs presented in this study could be very effective.…”

Assessing acid rain and climate effects on the temporal variation of dissolved organic matter in the unsaturated zone of a karstic system from southern China

“…Natural organic matter (NOM) in groundwater mainly derives from the soil zone, and is a potential contaminant in groundwater because of the ability of NOM to transport contaminants (Ritson et al, 2014;Schiperski et al, 2015;Graham et al, 2015;Hartmann et al, 2016). NOM can also transform into carcinogenic disinfection by-products during ozonation and chlorination in drinking water treatment processes and this becomes relevant when considering groundwater for use as a potable water resource (Papageorgiou et al, 2016). Moreover, the composition of NOM also influences groundwater quality.…”

Combination of low-pressure UF membranes with conventional water treatment systems

“…A conventional water treatment plant consists of basic units of aeration, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection (Shao et al, 2015). In addition to those, one or more units of activated carbon filtration, ozone oxidation, ion exchange etc can be included based on the feed water characteristics and required effluent quality (Papageorgiou et al, 2016;Stoquart et al, 2012). Excessive mechanical equipment and use of chemicals increase the capital and operational costs of conventional treatment plants.…”