Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is found in all freshwaters globally, by dissolving in rainwaterduring its path through soil and on to oceans via. rivers and streams. To provide potable water fit for human consumption, selected streams and rivers are used by either direct abstraction, or by diversion into reservoirs prior to treatment. For ca.100 years, chlorine and its compounds have been used by water treatment companies to disinfect water. However, research has shown that reactions between chlorine and DOM can produce compounds (disinfection by-products, or DBPs) which may be hazardous to human health. This thesis explores the relationship between catchment character, organic matter concentration, and the potential formation of DBPs. In particular, trihalomethanes (THMs) were measured as these are currently the only regulated DBPs in the UK. To achieve this, water samples were collected quarterly over one year from two contrasting catchments, to study seasonal variations in DOM concentration and character. A third catchment was also sampled, with similar catchment characters to the first two catchments, to determine whether geographical location and land use types affected the data. Each catchment was studied to see if catchment characteristics (e.g. class of vegetation, soil type or bedrock) could be mapped using a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) approach), to observe any effects on DOM and/or the DBPs found in treated water, with the aim of producing a risk assessment map to aid the choice of future abstraction locations for drinking water. Hence, samples were chlorinated and chloraminatedin the laboratory before being analysed for DBP formation and residual chlorine concentrations were measured. Catchment specific GIS derived data were statistically analysed with water chemistry data, and detected relationships were explored statistically. Major findings include medium to strong positive correlations between the standardised THM4 (STHM4 - the concentration of THM4 formed from 1 mg L-1 dissolved organic carbon (DOC)) concentration and geology, where an increase of the area of inland rock in a catchment increases STHM4 concentration. Medium strength positive correlations were found between STHM4 and vegetation classes, where, as the area of acid grassland, and heather increase, so does the concentration of STHM4. Negative relationships were discovered showing the obverse, where, as loamy and clayey floodplain soils with naturally high groundwater increased in area, STHM4 concentration dropped (at the Hampshire Avon ii and Conwy catchments combined). The occurrence of coniferous woodland in a catchment was found to correlate with the CHCl3 formation potential of waters (Pearsons, f=0.530, p= < 0.05, n=20), supporting findings in published literature. Laboratory based chlorination and chloramination of sample waters, followed by gas chromatography provided DBP data, specifically THM4. These data show that more chloroform was formed after chlorination than chloramination, and that chloramination formed 3 times more CHBr3 (another THM4 compound) than chlorination, under laboratory formation potential conditions. Results showed that the chlorination of water prior to DOM removal could result in a THM4 concentrations 5 times greater than the current UK regulatory limit, per mg L-1 dissolved organic carbon (DOC), whereas chloramination forms ca.5 times less than the current UK regulation per 1 mg L-1 DOC. However, chlorination of water prior to DOM removal is never done in practice, so this data provides information on the composition of the organic matter and whether DOM from a specific catchment contains specific components that are responsible for an increase in a specific DBP. Data also show that increasing organic nitrogen or organic carbon does not necessarily increase nitrogenous or carbonaceousDBPs (N-DBPs or C-DBPs). However, importantly, data shows that an increase in the area of land use classed as 'urban', results in an increase in DON (likely due to human influences) in the water draining from them, posing potential issues for eutrophication in downstream water bodies and the formation of N-DBPs at water treatment works. Whilst N-DBP detection was explored from several different angles, the development of a definitive method was not possible due to very low N-DBP concentrations, time and financial constraints. However, various methods were adapted to aid in the detection of them, showing promising initial results, providing the background for future projects into the discovery of a suite of N-DBPs such as haloacetonitriles and halonitromethanes. Finally, the data in this thesis have been inputted into maps for each major catchment to present data with a high visual impact, but also to illustrate land use types that have been found to correlate with increases in DBPs and specific nutrients in the water draining from them. However, the high variation in DOM concentration and character from site to site make extrapolation of these risk assessment data, to other catchments, unsafe. Nevertheless, collection of data from a catchment (similar to the work presented here) where a new water abstraction location is desired can prove advantageous in providing information to utility companies of what difficulties they may encounter when treating the water. Though this can be done by grab sampling at each site of interest, this can prove costly and timely and involves both field and laboratory based work aspects, wheras the method presented here requires less cost and time, once the method is initialised, to derive data of similar value. Despite the fact that disinfection performance would always trump DBP minimalisation, this is likely to be a vital tool in ensuring the provision of safe and healthy water fit for the consumption of an ever increasing human population.

Electrocoagulation is an empirical (and largely heuristic) water treatment technology that has had many different applications over the last century. It has proven its viability by removing a wide range of pollutants. The approach to reactor design has been haphazard, however, with little or no reference to previous designs or underlying principles. This thesis reviewed these reactor designs, identifying key commonalities and synthesising a new design hierarchy, summarised by three main decisions: 1. Batch or continuous operation; 2. Coagulation only or coagulation plus flotation reactors, and; 3. Associated separation process if required. This design decision hierarchy thereby provides a consistent basis for future electrocoagulation reactor designs. Electrochemistry, coagulation, and flotation are identified as the key foundation sciences for electrocoagulation, and the relevant mechanisms (and their interactions) are extracted and applied in an electrocoagulation context. This innovative approach was applied to a 7 L batch electrocoagulation reactor treating clay-polluted water. Structured macroscopic experiments identified current (density), time, and mixing as the key operating parameters for electrocoagulation. A dynamic mass balance was conducted over the batch reactor, for the first time, thereby enabling the extraction of a concentration profile. For this batch system, three operating stages were then identifiable: lag, reactive, and stable stages. Each stage was systematically investigated (in contrast to the previous ad hoc approach) with reference to each of the foundation sciences and the key parameters of current and time. Electrochemical behaviour characterised both coagulant and bubble generation. Polarisation experiments were used to determine the rate-limiting step at each electrode�s surface. Consequently the appropriate Tafel parameters were extracted and hence the cell potential. At low currents both electrodes (anode and cathode) operated in the charge-transfer region. As the current increased, the mechanism shifted towards the diffusion-limited region, which increased the required potential. Polarisation experiments also define the operating potential at each electrode thereby enabling aluminium�s dissolution behaviour to be thermodynamically characterised on potential-pH (Pourbaix) diagrams. Active and passive regions were defined and hence the aluminium�s behaviour in an aqueous environment can now be predicted for electrocoagulation. Novel and detailed solution chemistry modelling of the metastable and stable aluminium species revealed the importance of oligomer formation and their rates in electrocoagulation. In particular, formation of the positively trimeric aluminium species increased solution pH (to pH 10.6), beyond the experimentally observed operable pH of 9. Thereby signifying the importance of the formation kinetics to the trimer as the active coagulant specie in electrocoagulation. Further leading insights to the changing coagulation mechanism in electrocoagulation were possible by comparison and contrast with the conventional coagulation method of alum dosing. Initially in the lag stage, little aggregation is observed until the coagulant concentration reaches a critical level. Simultaneously, the measured zeta potential increases with coagulant addition and the isoelectric point is attained in the reactive stage. Here a sorption coagulation mechanism is postulated; probably charge neutralisation, that quickly aggregates pollutant particles forming open structured aggregates as indicated by the low fractal dimension. As time progresses, pollutant concentration decreases and aluminium addition continues hence aluminium hydroxide/oxide precipitates. The bubbles gently sweep the precipitate through the solution, resulting in coagulation by an enmeshment mechanism (sweep coagulation). Consequently compact aggregates are formed, indicating by the high fractal dimension. Flotation is an inherent aspect of the batch electrocoagulation reactor via the production of electrolytic gases. In the reactor, pollutant separation occurs in situ, either by flotation or settling. From the concentration profiles extracted, original kinetic expressions were formulated to quantify these competing removal processes. As current increases, both settling and flotation rate constants increased due to the additional coagulant generation. This faster removal was offset by a decrease in the coagulant efficiency. Consequently a trade-off exists between removal time and coagulant efficiency that can be evaluated economically. A conceptual framework of electrocoagulation is developed from the synthesis of the systematic study to enable a priori prediction. This framework creates predictability for electrocoagulation, which is innovative and original for the technology. Predictability provides insights to knowledge transfer (between batch and continuous), efficient coagulant and separation path, to name just a few examples. This predictability demystifies electrocoagulation by providing a powerful design tool for the future development of scaleable, industrial electrocoagulation water treatment design and operation process.

ABSTRACT With an increasing population density throughout the world and the current drive to provide fresh water to as many people as possible, innovative methods of providing safe drinking water are in very high demand. In 2002, the United Nations stated in their millennium declaration that one of their priority goals was “to halve, by the year 2015, the proportion of people who are unable to reach or to afford safe drinking water” (UNESCO, 2000). This goal was set with high standards, and will require a great deal of water treatment related research in the short coming years. Over the past two decades, drinking water treatment via membrane filtration has been widely accepted as a feasible alternative to conventional drinking water treatment. Membrane processes are used in environmental, chemical, food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and various other industries for separation applications. Since the early 1990’s, there has been rapid growth in the use of low-pressure hollow fibre membrane processes for the production of drinking water. These membrane systems are increasingly being accepted as feasible technologies for drinking water treatment. Like with any innovative process, it has limitations; the primary limitation being membrane fouling, which is an accumulation of particles on the surface and inside the pores of the membrane surface. Membrane fouling has the ability to reduce the flux, in doing so, requiring a higher pumping intensity to maintain a consistent volume of water being treated. This project investigated chemical coagulation as a pre-treatment to membrane ultra-filtration, with the goal of mitigating fouling impact in order to maintain a consistent permeate flux, while monitoring several water quality parameters before and after treatment such as turbidity, alkalinity, pH and total organic carbon (TOC). Two different raw water sources were studied: Grand River water taken from the Hidden Valley intake, located in Kitchener, ON, and Lake Ontario water taken from the Woodward Water Treatment Plant in Hamilton, ON. The evaluated coagulants include alum and ferric chloride, which are widely used hydrolyzing metal salt (HMS) coagulants; and three polyaluminum chloride (PACl) products, which are pre-hydrolyzed coagulants formed by the controlled neutralization of aluminum chloride solution. Phase 1 of the project involved the coagulation of water using various aluminum and iron-based coagulants. Synthetic water was used at the outset, followed by the use of raw water obtained from two water treatment plants: one on the Grand River and one on Lake Ontario. A series of jar test trials was conducted to determine optimum coagulant dosages for the removal of NOM. These doses were then used as a baseline for subsequent membrane trials in phase 2 of this project. Phase 2 involved the treatment of raw and coagulated waters with a hollow fibre bench scale UF unit (Zenon Environmental Inc.®, ZeeWeed-1). Membrane trials were performed with the coagulants applied at optimal and sub optimal dosages in order to evaluate the integrated process for mitigation of organic fouling. As all trials were conducted at a constant flowrate, membrane fouling was evaluated by monitoring trans-membrane pressure (TMP) over time. The raw and treated water were fractionated to obtain quantitative information on the size components of NOM contributing most to fouling. Results will be presented comparing how the different coagulants affected the concentration of each NOM MW fraction in the raw and treated waters. Collectively, results showed that all four coagulants substantially decreased the rate of TMP increase, particularly with the Grand River water which contained much higher turbidity and TOC concentrations than the Lake Ontario water. During the trials conducted with Grand River, alum performed best, reducing the TMP by 57 % over a 3-day period. The PACl coagulants performed best at reducing the TMP during the Lake Ontario membrane trials; reducing the TMP by 21 % and 19 % for SP 70 and SP respectively. The system’s ability to maintain a permeate turbidity level of 0.1 NTU or lower was met, and TOC removals varied a small amount across the four coagulants, ranging from 45-65 % and 15-35 % for the Grand River and Lake Ontario trials, respectively.

ABSTRACT With an increasing population density throughout the world and the current drive to provide fresh water to as many people as possible, innovative methods of providing safe drinking water are in very high demand. In 2002, the United Nations stated in their millennium declaration that one of their priority goals was “to halve, by the year 2015, the proportion of people who are unable to reach or to afford safe drinking water” (UNESCO, 2000). This goal was set with high standards, and will require a great deal of water treatment related research in the short coming years. Over the past two decades, drinking water treatment via membrane filtration has been widely accepted as a feasible alternative to conventional drinking water treatment. Membrane processes are used in environmental, chemical, food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and various other industries for separation applications. Since the early 1990’s, there has been rapid growth in the use of low-pressure hollow fibre membrane processes for the production of drinking water. These membrane systems are increasingly being accepted as feasible technologies for drinking water treatment. Like with any innovative process, it has limitations; the primary limitation being membrane fouling, which is an accumulation of particles on the surface and inside the pores of the membrane surface. Membrane fouling has the ability to reduce the flux, in doing so, requiring a higher pumping intensity to maintain a consistent volume of water being treated. This project investigated chemical coagulation as a pre-treatment to membrane ultra-filtration, with the goal of mitigating fouling impact in order to maintain a consistent permeate flux, while monitoring several water quality parameters before and after treatment such as turbidity, alkalinity, pH and total organic carbon (TOC). Two different raw water sources were studied: Grand River water taken from the Hidden Valley intake, located in Kitchener, ON, and Lake Ontario water taken from the Woodward Water Treatment Plant in Hamilton, ON. The evaluated coagulants include alum and ferric chloride, which are widely used hydrolyzing metal salt (HMS) coagulants; and three polyaluminum chloride (PACl) products, which are pre-hydrolyzed coagulants formed by the controlled neutralization of aluminum chloride solution. Phase 1 of the project involved the coagulation of water using various aluminum and iron-based coagulants. Synthetic water was used at the outset, followed by the use of raw water obtained from two water treatment plants: one on the Grand River and one on Lake Ontario. A series of jar test trials was conducted to determine optimum coagulant dosages for the removal of NOM. These doses were then used as a baseline for subsequent membrane trials in phase 2 of this project. Phase 2 involved the treatment of raw and coagulated waters with a hollow fibre bench scale UF unit (Zenon Environmental Inc.®, ZeeWeed-1). Membrane trials were performed with the coagulants applied at optimal and sub optimal dosages in order to evaluate the integrated process for mitigation of organic fouling. As all trials were conducted at a constant flowrate, membrane fouling was evaluated by monitoring trans-membrane pressure (TMP) over time. The raw and treated water were fractionated to obtain quantitative information on the size components of NOM contributing most to fouling. Results will be presented comparing how the different coagulants affected the concentration of each NOM MW fraction in the raw and treated waters. Collectively, results showed that all four coagulants substantially decreased the rate of TMP increase, particularly with the Grand River water which contained much higher turbidity and TOC concentrations than the Lake Ontario water. During the trials conducted with Grand River, alum performed best, reducing the TMP by 57 % over a 3-day period. The PACl coagulants performed best at reducing the TMP during the Lake Ontario membrane trials; reducing the TMP by 21 % and 19 % for SP 70 and SP respectively. The system’s ability to maintain a permeate turbidity level of 0.1 NTU or lower was met, and TOC removals varied a small amount across the four coagulants, ranging from 45-65 % and 15-35 % for the Grand River and Lake Ontario trials, respectively.

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As the U.S. population continues to increase, planning for future water quantity and quality needs is important. Historically, many municipalities have relied heavily on surface water as their major source of drinking water, but recently, technological advancements have improved the economic viability of reverse-osmosis (RO) desalination of brackish-groundwater as a potable water source. Brackish-groundwater may be an alternative water source that provides municipalities an opportunity to hedge against droughts, political shortfalls, and protection from potential surface-water contamination. This research specifically focuses on investigating economies of size for conventional surface-water treatment and brackish-groundwater desalination by using results from four water treatment facilities in the Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV). The methodology and results can have direct implications on future water planning. Economic and financial life-cycle costs were estimated for a "small"- conventional-surface water facility (2.0 million gallons per day (mgd) Olmito facility) and a "small"-brackish-groundwater desalination facility (1.13 mgd La Sara facility). Prior analyses were modified to determine similar costs for a "medium"-sized conventional surface-water facility (8.25 mgd McAllen Northwest facility) and a "medium"-sized brackish-groundwater desalination facility (7.5 mgd Southmost facility). The life-cycle costs of the "small" Olmito facility are compared to the life-cycle costs of the "medium" Northwest facility and the life-cycle costs of the "small" La Sara facility are compared against the life-cycle costs of the "medium" Southmost facility to determine the existence of economies of size. This research was facilitated by the use of the CITY H20 ECONOMICS© and the DESAL ECONOMICS© Excel® spreadsheet models previously developed by Texas AgriLife Research and Texas AgriLife Extension Service agricultural economists. Although the results are applicable to the Texas LRGV, economies of size are apparent in conventional surface-water treatment and constant economies of size are evident in brackish-groundwater desalination. This research also concludes that RO desalination of brackish-groundwater is economically competitive with conventional surface-water treatment in this region.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2001. / Title from title page screen. Document formatted into manuscript-like pagination: x, 128 leaves : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 114-122).

In the wake of the growing dependence on small water treatment plants (SWTPs) in providing quality water to rural areas and the global burden of water borne diseases, this study sought to examine the efficiency of 55 SWTPs located in rural or peri-urban areas of Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces in order to gauge the safety of water supply for human consumption. The microbiological and physical parameters of raw water, treated water and water in the distribution systems were examined using standard methods. Management issues impacting on quality of water supply were determined by use of questionnaires and focus group discussions. Results obtained showed that the pH, turbidity, temperature and conductivity of the raw water in SWTPs studied in both provinces ranged between 6.46 to 9.05 pH units, 0.19 to 8.0 NTU, 15.4oC to 31.40oC and 44.40.4 μS to 108 μS respectively. Water quality compliance at point of use (treated water) according to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry of South Africa guidelines in SWTPs studied in both provinces were 85% for faecal coliforms and 69% for total coliforms. In the distribution systems, TCCs, FCCs and HPCs were within recommended limits except for few SWTPs suggesting a possibility of inadequate treatment and this may represent post-treatment contamination and possible risk of infection from these water supply sources. Physical parameters were generally within the recommended ranges . In terms of administrative issues, some plant operators did not have adequate knowledge of the functioning of the SWTPs and most were unable to calculate chlorine dosage, determine flow rates or undertake repairs of basic equipment. Poor working conditions , frequent stock depletion of chemicals , lack of maintenance culture , lack of emergency preparedness and poor communication were also cited . The study has revealed that the microbiological quality of raw water was very poor but that water treatment was efficient in the majority of SWTPs studied in both provinces. Regular monitoring of microbial and physico-chemical parameters of water quality served by the different SWTPs to the population is recommended to gauge their safety for human consumption. Issues such as enhanced incentives and periodic training of plant operators, improved communication and conditions of service , periodic stock inventory and entrenchment of maintenance culture may be necessary to ensure sustained and efficient water distribution systems.

No description available.

Thesis (MEng(HydrologyWaterResources))--University of South Australia, 2004.