Occurrence and consequences of increased bromide in drinking water sources

Elevated concentrations of brominated disinfection by‐products (DBPs) have been reported recently by some drinking water utilities. Some of these occurrences have been correlated with upstream discharges of bromide‐containing wastes from coal‐fired power utilities, discharges of hydraulic fracturing wastewater, and other industrial sources. This article discusses this problem in terms of the chemistry of DBP formation when bromide is present, regulatory changes that have resulted in the increased use of bromide by industries, and the number of water utilities potentially affected by these discharges. The authors investigated this problem through a review of published and unpublished sources and through interviews with utility personnel and state regulators.