Control of microbial contaminants and disinfection by-products for drinking water in the US: cost and performance

Research Article| September 01 1998 Control of microbial contaminants and disinfection by-products for drinking water in the US: cost and performance R. M. Clark; R. M. Clark *Director, Water Supply and Water Resources Division Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar J. Q. Adams; J. Q. Adams †Water Quality Management Branch Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar V. Sethi; V. Sethi ‡Oak Ridge Post-doctoral Appointment at WSWRD, NRMRL, US Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin L. King Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45268 Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar M. Sivaganesan M. Sivaganesan §Statistician, ALM Joint Venture, 250 E. Fifth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua (1998) 47 (6): 255–265. https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.1998.30 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Cite Icon Cite Permissions Search Site Search nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentAll JournalsThis Journal Search Advanced Search Citation R. M. Clark, J. Q. Adams, V. Sethi, M. Sivaganesan; Control of microbial contaminants and disinfection by-products for drinking water in the US: cost and performance. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 September 1998; 47 (6): 255–265. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.1998.30 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) is in the process of developing a sophisticated regulatory strategy in an attempt to balance the risks associated with disinfectants and disinfection by-products (D/DBP) in drinking water. A major aspect of this strategy is the appropriate application of disinfectants and other treatment technologies to minimise the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs). This paper explores the cost and performance associated with these technological choices. It is clear that the least expensive choice for controlling chlorinated by-products would be to utilise an alternative disinfectant. However, precursor removal by enhanced coagulation and/or the application of granular activated carbon and membrane technology are very effective in controlling DBPs. The removal of precursors can have the effect of simultaneously controlling both chemical and microbiological risks. This content is only available as a PDF.