Evaluation of a Partially Hydrolyzed Poly(vinyl acetate) Copolymer for Surface Water Treatment: Application to Water from the Joumine Dam (Tunisia)

Aquatic ecosystems are increasingly affected by anthropogenic pollution, highlighting the need for efficient and advanced water treatment technologies. Poly(vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) copolymer (PVA-co-PVAc), a partially hydrolyzed copolymer derived from poly(vinyl acetate), has received limited attention for surface water remediation. To address this gap, PVA-co-PVAc was prepared and evaluated as an alternative material for surface water treatment. The polymer identity was inferred from the synthesis route and degree-of-hydrolysis measurements; comprehensive structural characterization was beyond the scope of the present application-focused study. Physico-chemical and microbiological characterization of water samples collected from six locations in Joumine Dam revealed the highest contamination levels at the dam inlet, indicating a substantial pollution load entering the reservoir. Consequently, water from this site was selected to evaluate the treatment performance of the copolymer. Among the tested copolymer concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5%, and 1% w/v), the best performance was achieved at 1% (w/v), resulting in a 93% reduction in total cell density determined by direct microscopic counting, together with significant decreases in turbidity and organic matter and an apparent decrease in fluoride concentration, requiring independent analytical confirmation. These findings demonstrate the potential of PVA-co-PVAc to improve selected surface-water quality parameters under laboratory treatment conditions and support further investigation of this material using natural water matrices.