Improvement of Trihalomethanes Removal for Water Distribution System

Abstract

Potable water good quality should be a priority for the worldwide population distribution systems. The agency that distributes the majority of the water in the island of Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewage Authority. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has made, since the 1970's, different regulations to improve the quality of the water of human consume with the SDWA which is the guide of the PRHD to regulate the PRASA and non-PRASA potable water systems. This government agency ensures the public safety of the drinking water they receive in their homes. The daily water monitoring enrolls pH, chlorine, turbidity and nutrients tests. There are another tests related to TOC and THM's concentration. The case studied exhibits an excess on THM's concentration into the distribution system. The filter plant has been dealing with an almost high THM concentration of the outflow which increases during the distribution, so the parameter exceeds when arrives to the consumer. The THM's can cause different health effects such as cancer and reproductive problems. The principal cause of THM's in water is the TOC and Chlorine mixture. The water disinfection creates byproducts that are not safe in high concentration to human health. This is why PRASA have to monitor constantly, and specially, to prevent health risks in the public that consumes its water. There were some improvements that were suggested to get better results in the jar test performed, improvement of the calculus and procedure to diminish the errors, the coagulant sample freshness to make the test and the equipment optimization. Key Terms ⎯ Chlorine, Drinking Water Treatment, THM's, TOC.