Polyethylene pipes and epoxy or polyurethane linings are increasingly used in drinking water infrastructure. As a recent introduction to the water industry, there are still many unknowns about how polymers will behave in the distribution system specifically relating to sorption and desorption of chemical contaminants. This study is in response to a spill of 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM) that occurred in January 2014 contaminating the drinking water of nine counties in West Virginia. This study investigated sorption and desorption of the odorous chemical MCHM into polymer drinking water infrastructure and granular activated carbon (GAC). Experiments for sorption of non-polar toluene and polar 1-butanol were conducted as a comparison for MCHM sorption. Additionally, a brief odor analysis was done on the ability of activated carbon to remove odor from contaminated water and on leaching of MCHM from pipe material into clean water. The results show that MCHM diffusion and solubility in polyethylene pipe materials is low. Solubility in polyethylene ranged from 0.003-0.008 g/cm3 and was more similar to the polar contaminant n-butanol than the non-polar contaminant toluene. Desorption experiments indicated that MCHM sorbed to polyethylene diffused back into water at levels that produced odor. MCHM diffused very quickly into epoxy; its solubility was similar to polyethylene pipe. MCHM caused the polyurethane lining to swell and deform. Granular activated carbon effectively sorbed MCHM to below its odor threshold. The sorption properties of MCHM indicate the potential for contamination of infrastructure and the desorption indicates subsequent recontamination of drinking water. / Master of Science

Land application of anaerobically stabilized biosolids is a beneficial method of handling the solid residuals from a wastewater treatment plant. One of the main issues that restrict land application of biosolids is nuisance odors associated with biosolids. Despite its importance, few studies have been done to enhance our knowledge of odor causing processes. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of some factors that have been thought to be linked to odor generation from biosolids. The first part of this study has looked at the role of metals, iron and aluminum in particular, in determining the odor causing processes. The results showed that iron correlated well with headspace organic sulfur odor. In general, as the iron content of sludge increased greater amounts of odorous sulfur gases were produced from dewatered biosolids cakes. Aluminum did not show any relationship with organic sulfur odors. Parameters commonly used for assessing the performance of anaerobic digesters (volatile solids reduction (VSR), residual biological activity (RBA) and effluent volatile fatty acid (VFA) content) also showed no correlation with odors. The second part of the study focused on determining the impact of anaerobic digester solids retention time (SRT) on the odor generation from dewatered biosolids cakes and also on elucidating the nature and impact of the various Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) fractions on odors. The results showed that odors decreased with an increase in the anaerobic digester SRT. VSR and RBA correlated with odors; however, as only one type of sludge was assessed, the conclusions about any relationship may not be universal. The results also showed that sulfur gas generation was a function of EPS material bound to iron, again showing that iron plays an important role in odor generation from dewatered sludge cakes. The third part of the study looked at the effects of advanced digestion processes on odor generation. Digested sludge from acid/gas and temperature phased anaerobic digestion systems were analyzed in the lab. The results show that both acid/gas system and temperature phased digestion had a positive impact on odor generation from dewatered biosolids cake. Comparison of sludge from pancake shaped and egg shaped digesters showed that egg shaped digester was more efficient with regard to odor reduction. / Master of Science

Chlorine dioxide has been used in drinking water treatment for the reduction of trihalomethanes and tastes-and-odors. Recently, chlorine dioxide was implicated as the source of offensive "cat-urine-like" and "kerosene-like" odors in drinking water. The purpose of this project was to determine the cause of odors observed in customers homes at times when chlorine dioxide was being applied to drinking water. Data were obtained through a survey and field sampling at utilities experiencing odor events. Once the cause was determined, potential water-treatment procedures were evaluated in laboratory-scale studies. Results from a survey sent to water utilities throughout the United States showed that customers who recently had installed new carpeting complained of odors more than those who had not. The use of chlorine dioxide caused responses to intensity of certain tastes-and-odors to increase, two of these odors were cat urine and kerosene. Field sampling at two water companies during odor events resulted in the discovery of low-levels of residual chlorine dioxide (0.2-0.7 mg/L) at the tap's of customers. Both the cat-urine- and kerosene-like odors were detected by the research team. To verify a proposed mechanism of odor generation, chlorine dioxide was volatilized in a room with new carpeting. Both odors were produced in amounts great enough to be easily detected by the entire panel. The removal of residual chlorite from drinking water would block a mechanism by which chlorine dioxide may be reformed from reactions between residual chlorite and free chlorine added for distribution system residual maintenance. Chlorite was removed by powdered activated carbon (PAC) enmeshed in alum floc in laboratory-constituted water and Po River water. A high level of PAC (50 mg/L) was required to effect good removal. A simulated floc-blanket clarifier effectively removed high levels of chlorite (>5 mg/L) from drinking water for long periods (12 hours) when PAC in high concentration was enmeshed in the floc. Chlorine dioxide reformed in the distribution system of two water companies. When customers opened water faucets, chlorine dioxide volatilized into the room and reacted with organic compounds present in the household air (e.g. from new carpeting) producing the offensive cat-urine-like and kerosene-like odors. The reformation of chlorine dioxide could be effectively eliminated if residual chlorite could be removed by contact with high levels of PAC enmeshed in an alum floc such as one could produce in a floc-blanket clarifier. / Master of Science

This study was conducted to determine the effect of heating methods (conventional and microwave), heating temperatures, and refrigerated storage on the flavor deterioration in precooked chicken parts. Chicken breasts and legs were evaluated by chemical analyses and sensory evaluation. Data was analyzed by Fisher's least significant difference (LSD) and Duncan's test. Results of the thiobarbituric acid test (TBA) indicated that heating temperature, regardless of heating method had a significant influence on oxidative deterioration. When the legs were heated for a longer time at a lower temperature, the TBA values significantly increased indicating heightened warmed-over flavor (WOF). Two-day refrigerated storage had no measurable influence on the TBA numbers. The legs generally had a higher degree of lipid oxidation reflected by higher TBA values. Heating method and 2-day refrigerated storage did not have a significant effect on the nonheme iron content of breasts or legs. The effects of heating temperature were inconsistent for the legs and breasts which was attributed to the different initial iron content of the legs, and the release of nonheme iron during the initial processing of the legs. The nonheme iron values of the legs were greater relative to the breasts. Heating and storage in general increased the area of peak 3 in legs, but had no effect on the breasts. A significant increase in the hexanal (peak 8) content of legs occurred upon 2-day storage, but not for breasts. Peak 7 significantly decreased when the breasts were heated, stored, and reheated. This was not the case for the legs. Sensory panelists could not differentiate between heating methods or temperatures for either part. / Master of Science

The occurrence of taste-and-odor problems that are caused by algal metabolites in water supplies has been well documented. Several commonly occurring odor-producing algae were selected and cultured for this research. Initial studies involved the algal cells and cell-free media from cultures grown under fairly optimal conditions. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and flavor profile analyses (FPA) were performed to identify the organic compounds produced by the algae and their respective odors. Three of the algal cultures underwent additional studies that investigated the effects of selected changes in culture conditions on both population growth and compound production. Experimental variables included nitrogen concentration (ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite), phosphorus concentration, light intensity, and temperature. Parametric and nonparametric analyses were performed to identify the environmental factors that had a significant effect on algal production, accumulation, and release of taste-and-odor compounds. The organic compounds were extracted from both the algal cells and the cell-free media. Continuous liquid-liquid extraction and Kuderna-Danish concentration (CLLE-KD) was an effective and reliable method for the isolation and concentration of a broad range of organic compounds. The plot of flavor profile analysis (FPA) results obtained for odor standards adhered to the Weber-Fechner Law (W-F) over the range of concentrations evaluated. The odor intensities of algal cultures were generally lower than the odor intensities predicted from the W-F plot of the compound standards. Masking of the odor associated with one compound by the odor associated with another was observed. Odors produced by young algal cultures (e.g., low population densities) were detected in FPA samples at compound concentrations below the limits of detection by GC-MS. Anabaena laxa retained most of the geosmin it produced within the algal cells. Phormidium sp. produced more 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) than geosmin, and the alga retained only a relatively small amount of either compound within the cells. Synura petersenii produced more 2t,4c,7c-decatrienal than 2t,6c-nonadienal, and large fractions of the concentrations produced were retained within the algal cells. Various combinations of nutrient reduction, early algal-bloom within-reservoir treatment, and removal of algal cells prior to oxidation were suggested as likely methods by which odor problems may be reduced. / Ph. D.

Anaerobic digestion is widely used for stabilization of solids in sewage sludges. Recent changes in the priorities and goals of digestion processes are focusing more attention on the efficiency of these processes. Increasing hauling cost and restrictions for land applications are two factors which are driving the increased attention to digestion efficiency. Noxious odor production from the land applied biosolids is another important issue related to digestion efficiency. Existing anaerobic digestion or aerobic digestion processes failed to provide simultaneous solution to biosolids related problems i.e. simultaneous VS reduction, better dewatering of biosolids and lesser odors from the biosolids. Studies done by Novak et al. (2004) using different activated sludges show that anaerobic-aerobic digestion and aerobic-anaerobic digestion both increase volatile solids reduction compared to a single digestion environment. They proposed that there are 4 VS fractions in sludges: (1) a fraction degradable only under aerobic conditions, (2) a fraction degradable only under anaerobic conditions, (3) a fraction degradable under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions, and (4) a non degradable fraction. It has also been found (Akunna et al., 1993) that anaerobic-aerobic sequential treatment of wastewater can help in achieving substantial nitrogen removal. These results suggest that sequential anaerobic-aerobic digestion can address multiple biosolid related problems. This study was designed to understand the effect of sequential anaerobic-aerobic digestion on the properties of resulting effluent biosolids. The study was carried out in two operation phases and during both phases one digester was maintained at thermophilic conditions and the other at mesophilic temperature conditions. In first operation phase (Phase-I) thermophilic digester was operating at 20 day SRT and mesophilic anaerobic digester was at 10 day SRT. The aerobic digesters following anaerobic digesters were operating at 6 day SRT. In second operation phase (Phase-II), both thermophilic and mesophilic anaerobic digesters were operating at 15 day SRT and both had two aerobic digesters operating in parallel at 3 day and 6 day SRTs. In addition, batch experiments were also conducted to measure the performance of aerobic-anaerobic digestion sequence. Another study was carried out to understand the nitrogen removal mechanism during aerobic digestion of anaerobic digested sludge. The feed sludge was spiked with four different concentrations of nitrate and nitrite. It was observed during the study that aerobic digestion of anaerobic sludge helps in achieving higher Volatile solid reduction (~65% vs ~ 46% for mesophilic digestion and ~52% for thermophilic digestion). This result supports the hypothesis concerning the different fractions in volatile solids. Experimental results also show that the increase in VSR upon increasing anaerobic digestion SRT (more than 15 days) is less than the increase in the VSR due to the same increment of aerobic digestion SRT. Reduction in COD and VFA were also measured to be more than 50% during aerobic digestion. Investigation of nitrogen fate during the sequential anaerobic-aerobic digestion show more than 50% total nitrogen removal. Higher nitrogen removal was in thermophilic anaerobic – aerobic digester combination than that in mesophilic anaerobic–aerobic combination. The most probable reason for the removal was simultaneous nitrification and denitrification. Higher concentration of readily available VFA from thermophilic anaerobic digested sludge provide advantage in denitrification in following aerobic digester. The resulting biosolids produced during sequential digestion process were also analyzed for dewatering properties and odor production. Proteins and polysaccharides concentrations were observed to decrease during aerobic digestion for thermophilic anaerobic - aerobic digestion combination, while in another combinations polysaccharide concentrations increases at aerobic phase with 3 day digestion. The concentration of polysaccharides decreases at higher digestion period of 6 and 9. The result of decrease in polysaccharide and protein was reflected by the reduction in the polymer dose consumption and decrease in the optimum CST for the biosolids resulting from the sequential anaerobic aerobic digestion. Experimental results from odor experiments show that odor production potential of the biosolids decreases with increase in both anaerobic phase SRT and aerobic phase SRT. Thermophilic biosolids produces comparatively low odors but for longer periods, while mesophilic biosolids produces higher magnitude of odors during storage but only for comparative shorter period. Aerobic digestion of anaerobic sludge helps in reducing more than 50% odor production, but freeze-thaw cycle experiment shows that in both anaerobic and sequential anaerobic – aerobic digested sludges have higher potential for odor production. Higher aerobic digestion SRTs (6 days and above) shows more potential of reducing odors, but more experimental work is required to be done. / Master of Science

Benefícios na fermentação microbiana no cólon e as flatulências, em cães da raça Bulldog Francês, podem ser promovidos mediante mudanças nas quantidades e fontes proteicas da dieta. Este estudo avaliou os efeitos da inclusão de diferentes fontes de proteína em alimento seco para cães Bulldog Francês sobre a fermentação microbiana, a absorção de nutrientes e mudanças nas emissões dos componentes orgânicos voláteis mais prevalentes, ademais comparou os resultados com a técnica de teste sensorial. Quatro dietas de manutenção para cães adultos foram formuladas: T0, dieta com farinha de vísceras de frango; T1, dieta com glúten de trigo; T2, dieta com farinha de vísceras de frango e glúten de trigo; e T3, dieta com vísceras de frango, glúten de trigo e proteína hidrolisada. Foram utilizados oito cães da raça Bulldog Francês, com peso corporal médio de 11,3 ± 0,21 kg e 2,7 ± 0,74 anos de idade, distribuidos num delineamento em quadrado latino 4x4 e adaptados às dietas durante 20 dias. Fezes frescas foram coletadas para análise de digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes, escore, ácidos graxos voláteis, pH, aminas biogênicas, compostos orgânicos voláteis, lactato, amônia, e análise sensorial. Não houve efeitos adversos nos animais. As médias foram comparadas por meio de contrastes pelo PROC MIXED do SAS, adotando um nível de significância de 5% (P≤0,05). Os animais que foram alimentados com as dietas T1 e T2 apresentaram maior digestibilidade da matéria seca (P<0,05), matéria orgânica (P<0,05), proteína bruta (P<0,001) e menor produção de fezes (P<0,02). Foi observada menor ingestão da fibra bruta nos animais alimentados com a dieta T0 (P<0,001). As dietas T1, T2 e T3 resultaram em menor escore e pH fecal (P<0,05). Ao respeito aos compostos orgânicos voláteis, foi observada diferença estatística em dois dos 68 compostos observados, as fezes dos animais alimentados com dieta T0 e T1 apresentaram maior presença dos compostos fenol (P=0,04) e indol (P=0,01), respectivamente. O tratamento T0 apresentou maior percepção de odor durante a avaliação sensorial (P=0,01). Não houve efeito das dietas nos produtos finais de fermentação. O uso complementar da proteína animal com a vegetal melhoraram a digestibilidade da proteína bruta, e em consequência, reduziram a percepção do mal odor das fezes de cães Bulldogs Francês. Mais estudos são necessários para entender a associação dos níveis de percepção de odor com as mudanças dos compostos orgânicos voláteis. / Benefits on colonic fermentation and flatulencies, in French bulldog dogs, can be promoted by changes on diet protein sources and quantities. The current study evaluated the effects of the inclusion of different protein sources to dog dry feed on microbial fermentation, nutrient absorption, and changes of the emission of most prevalent volatile organic compounds, and also compared the results with a sensorial test. Four maintenance diets for adult dogs were formulated: T0, diet with the inclusion of poultry entrails meal; T1, diet with the inclusion of wheat gluten; T2, diet with the inclusion of poultry entrails meal and wheat gluten; and T3, diet with the inclusion of poultry entrails meal, wheat gluten, and hydrolyzed protein. Eight adult French bulldog dogs, with a mean weight of 11.3 ± 0.21 kg and 2.7 ± 0.74 years old, were arranged in a 4x4 Latin square design and adapted to diets for 20 days. Therefore, fresh feces were collected for digestibility, fecal score, volatile fatty acids, fecal pH, biogenic amines, volatiles organic compounds, fecal lactate, ammonia, and sensorial test analyses. There were no adverse effects to the animals. Means were compared by contrast using PROC MIXED procedure of SAS software, choosing a significance level of 5% (P≤0.05). Animals fed with diets T1 and T2 showed higher dry matter (P<0.05), organic matter (P<0.05), and crude protein digestibility (P<0.001), and lower feces production (P<0.02). Lower ingestion of crude fiber was observed in animals fed with diet T0 (P<0.001). Diets T1, T2, and T3 showed lower pH (P<0.05) and score of the feces. In regard to volatile organic compounds, 2 from 68 observed compounds showed statistical difference. Animals fed with diet T0 and diet T1 had greater presence of phenol (P=0.04) and indole (P=0.01) on feces, respectively. Diet T0 showed greater odor perception during the sensorial test (P=0.01). There were no effects of diets on fermentation final products. The reduction of protein level and the complementary use of animal and vegetal protein sources improved crude protein digestibility, and as a consequence, reduced the odor perception of the feces of French bulldog dogs. More studies are needed to understand the association between odor perception levels and changes on volatile organic compounds.

Avalia a alteração da qualidade da água da região de lançamento dos efluentes domésticos no reservatório de Três Irmãos, em virtude da aplicação de nitrato de amônio, para controle de odor, na rede coletora de esgotos do município de Pereira Barreto desde 1996. Foram realizadas 6 campanhas, com freqüência bimestral, no período de Outubro de 2004 a Agosto de 2005. As amostras foram coletadas em seis pontos, sendo cinco no reservatório, e um na ETE-Pereira Barreto. Em cada estação no reservatório, as amostras foram tomadas à superfície, à meia profundidade e fundo. Obtiveram-se amostras de água e esgoto para análise de parâmetros físicos, químicos e hidrobiológicos. Para melhor avaliar a qualidade da água, como também do efluente final da ETE, foram efetuados o Teste de Postos com Sinais de Wilcoxon para Pares Combinados (Método Não-Paramétrico), Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP) e Análise de Agrupamento (Cluster). Os resultados mostraram que os níveis de nitrogênio nitrato na água e no efluente final situaram-se bem abaixo do limite máximo estabelecido pelo CONAMA 357/05 para águas da Classe 2 (10 mg/L). Concluiu-se que a prática da adição de nitrato de amônio para reduzir os odores em rede coletoras de esgotos sanitários, sob o ponto de vista ambiental, não apresentou potencial para acarretar impacto negativo no corpo receptor, e que a região de estudo no reservatório é um ambiente bem oxigenado, inclusive nas camadas mais profundas, com baixos teores de turbidez e pH levemente alcalino,entretanto, com alta condutividade elétrica e elevadas concentrações de nutrientes (fósforo e amônia), principalmente no período de verão. Este fato é devido à influência principalmente do esgoto doméstico que é lançado nesta área. / It evaluates the alteration of the quality of the water in the region of discharges of domestic effluents into the Três Irmãos reservoir, due to the application, since 1996, of ammonium nitrate into the sewer system of the city of Pereira Barreto. Six trips to collect samples were performed bimonthly between October 2004 and August 2005.The samples were collected at six different points: five in the reservoir and one in the Sewage Treatment Plant in Pereira Barreto. In each station of the reservoir, the samples were collected on the surface, at half depth and at the bottom. Water and sewage samples were obtained for analysis of physical, chemical and hydrobiological parameters. In order to better evaluate the quality of water, as well as the quality of the final effluent from the sewage of the Sewage Treatment Plant, the Wilcoxon Signed-rank Test for Paired Data (Nonparametric Test), the Principal Component Analysis and the Hierarchical Cluster Analysis Methods were performed. The results showed that the levels of nitrate-nitrogen in the water and in the final effluent were way below the maximum limit established by CONAMA 357/05 for Class 2 waters (10 mg/L). It was concluded that, environmentally speaking, the addition of ammonium nitrate to reduce the odors in sanitary sewer systems was not potentially significant to cause a negative impact on the reservoir. It was also concluded that the region under study in the reservoir is well oxygenated, even in deeper layers, with low turbidity levels and slightly alkaline pH; however, high electrical conductivity and high concentrations of nutrients (phosphorus and ammonia) were observed, mainly in summer. This is mainly due to the influence of the domestic sewage which is discharged in that area.

MIB e Geosmina são os principais agentes causadores de gosto e odor em águas de abastecimento. O carvão ativado em pó (CAP) desempenha um ótimo papel na remoção de MIB e Geosmina, entretanto, estudos tem comprovado que sua capacidade de adsorção é consideravelmente prejudicada quando em contato com concentrações residuais de agentes oxidantes empregados na etapa de pré-oxidação. Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da presença de permanganato de potássio na fase líquida no processo de adsorção de MIB e Geosmina pelo CAP, este estudo foi desenvolvido combinando diferentes dosagens do agente oxidante (zero, 1 e 2 mg L-1 ) e CAP (20 e 40 mg L-1) visando a remoção de MIB e Geosmina. Observou-se uma redução nas concentrações residuais do permanganato de potássio na água, o que evidencia a existência de uma interação entre o agente oxidante e o CAP. A utilização do permanganato de potássio conjuntamente ao CAP mostrou-se prejudicial à remoção de MIB e Geosmina sendo que para a aplicação de 20 mg L-1 de CAP, a presença de 2 mg L-1 de agente oxidante na fase líquida provocou uma redução na remoção de MIB e Geosmina de cerca de 50%. A presença do permanganato de potássio na água, no entanto, não provocou alteração no tempo de contato necessário para a adsorção dos micropoluentes estudados no CAP. Fica evidente, portanto, a necessidade do controle da dosagem do agente oxidante a ser aplicado a fim de se evitar concentrações residuais que possam interagir com o CAP reduzindo sua capacidade de remoção de MIB e Geosmina. / MIB and Geosmin are the main agents causing taste and odor in domestic water supply. Powdered activated carbon (PAC) plays an important role in the removal of MIB and Geosmin, however, studies have shown that its adsorption capacity is considerably impaired when in contact with residual concentrations of oxidizing agents used in the pre-oxidation stage. This study evaluated the effect of adding potassium permanganate in the liquid phase during the adsorption of MIB and Geosmin to PAC. The removal of MIB and Geosmin was evaluated with different dosages of the oxidizing agent, potassium permanganate (zero, 1 and 2 mg L-1) and PAC (20 and 40 mg L-1). The results showed a reduction in the residual permanganate in water, indicating an interaction between the oxidizing agent and the PAC. The use of potassium permanganate together with PAC reduced the MIB and Geosmin removal. The addition of 20 mg L-1 of PAC, in the presence of 2 mg L-1 of oxidizing agent in the liquid phase reduced the removal of MIB and Geosmin by 50%. The contact time required for the adsorption of the micropollutants to PAC, however, was not affected by the presence of potassium permanganate in the water. Therefore, the need to control the oxidizing agent\'s dosage is evident. Dosage control of the oxidizing agent can reduce its residual concentrations, which may interact with the PAC reducing its ability to remove MIB and Geosmin.

Avalia a alteração da qualidade da água da região de lançamento dos efluentes domésticos no reservatório de Três Irmãos, em virtude da aplicação de nitrato de amônio, para controle de odor, na rede coletora de esgotos do município de Pereira Barreto desde 1996. Foram realizadas 6 campanhas, com freqüência bimestral, no período de Outubro de 2004 a Agosto de 2005. As amostras foram coletadas em seis pontos, sendo cinco no reservatório, e um na ETE-Pereira Barreto. Em cada estação no reservatório, as amostras foram tomadas à superfície, à meia profundidade e fundo. Obtiveram-se amostras de água e esgoto para análise de parâmetros físicos, químicos e hidrobiológicos. Para melhor avaliar a qualidade da água, como também do efluente final da ETE, foram efetuados o Teste de Postos com Sinais de Wilcoxon para Pares Combinados (Método Não-Paramétrico), Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP) e Análise de Agrupamento (Cluster). Os resultados mostraram que os níveis de nitrogênio nitrato na água e no efluente final situaram-se bem abaixo do limite máximo estabelecido pelo CONAMA 357/05 para águas da Classe 2 (10 mg/L). Concluiu-se que a prática da adição de nitrato de amônio para reduzir os odores em rede coletoras de esgotos sanitários, sob o ponto de vista ambiental, não apresentou potencial para acarretar impacto negativo no corpo receptor, e que a região de estudo no reservatório é um ambiente bem oxigenado, inclusive nas camadas mais profundas, com baixos teores de turbidez e pH levemente alcalino,entretanto, com alta condutividade elétrica e elevadas concentrações de nutrientes (fósforo e amônia), principalmente no período de verão. Este fato é devido à influência principalmente do esgoto doméstico que é lançado nesta área. / It evaluates the alteration of the quality of the water in the region of discharges of domestic effluents into the Três Irmãos reservoir, due to the application, since 1996, of ammonium nitrate into the sewer system of the city of Pereira Barreto. Six trips to collect samples were performed bimonthly between October 2004 and August 2005.The samples were collected at six different points: five in the reservoir and one in the Sewage Treatment Plant in Pereira Barreto. In each station of the reservoir, the samples were collected on the surface, at half depth and at the bottom. Water and sewage samples were obtained for analysis of physical, chemical and hydrobiological parameters. In order to better evaluate the quality of water, as well as the quality of the final effluent from the sewage of the Sewage Treatment Plant, the Wilcoxon Signed-rank Test for Paired Data (Nonparametric Test), the Principal Component Analysis and the Hierarchical Cluster Analysis Methods were performed. The results showed that the levels of nitrate-nitrogen in the water and in the final effluent were way below the maximum limit established by CONAMA 357/05 for Class 2 waters (10 mg/L). It was concluded that, environmentally speaking, the addition of ammonium nitrate to reduce the odors in sanitary sewer systems was not potentially significant to cause a negative impact on the reservoir. It was also concluded that the region under study in the reservoir is well oxygenated, even in deeper layers, with low turbidity levels and slightly alkaline pH; however, high electrical conductivity and high concentrations of nutrients (phosphorus and ammonia) were observed, mainly in summer. This is mainly due to the influence of the domestic sewage which is discharged in that area.