Practical Considerations for Implementing Nitrosamine Control Strategies

Abstract

The US Environmental Protection Agency included five nitrosamines, including N‐nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), on the fourth Contaminant Candidate List, indicating its consideration of these contaminants for potential regulatory determination. If nitrosamines are regulated, affected water systems and regulators will need to consider simultaneous compliance, risk balancing, operational, and cost impacts of implementing control strategies. This study showed that site‐specific data are lacking on the source(s) of NDMA, hindering the ability of a water utility to identify optimal control strategies for their system. A framework is presented to guide water systems through initial steps to assess nitrosamine sources, control strategies, and unintended consequences as they plan for potential regulations.

Nitrosamines: A review of formation pathways, precursors, control, and occurrence in drinking water

“…Signatures of amine and amide precursors exist multiple watershed types, including urban and agricultural. Source water containing high concentrations of precursors is likely impaired by treated wastewater, industrial effluents, or herbicides diuron and dimethyldithiocarbamate [9][10][11][12][13].…”

Water Research Foundation Focus Area: NDMA and Other Nitrosamines

“…WRF project #4491, Unintended Consequences of Implementing Nitrosamine Control Strategies (Russell et al forthcoming), focuses on identifying and documenting unintended consequences to provide practical guidance to water utilities and inform regulatory discussions. This project is discussed in “Practical Considerations for Implementing Nitrosamine Control Strategies” on page 32 of this issue of Journal AWWA (Russell et al 2017).…”