Evaluation of Seasonal Performance of Conventional and Phosphate‐Amended Biofilters. Issue 10 (1st October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Selbes, Meric; Amburgey, James; Peeler, Caleb; Alansari, Amir; Karanfil, Tanju
• Is Part Of: Journal ‐ American Water Works Association. Volume 108:Issue 10(2016)
• Page Start: E523
• Page End: E532
• Publication Date: 2016-10-01
• Subjects: biologically active filtration -- disinfection by‐products -- phosphate amendment -- seasonal performance -- water quality -- Precursors -- Temperature -- Dissolved Organic Carbon -- Nitrogen -- Phosphates -- Trihalomethanes -- Haloacetic Acids -- Particle Counting -- Seasonal Effects; Water-supply -- United States -- Periodicals; Water-supply engineering -- United States -- Periodicals; 363.61097305
• DOI: 10.5942/jawwa.2016.108.0151
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-150X

Abstract

Abstract : A case study was conducted to evaluate the seasonal performance of conventional and phosphate‐amended biologically active filtration (BAF). Performance was evaluated in terms of general water quality parameters, disinfection by‐product (DBP) precursors, and operational parameters. BAF successfully reduced dissolved organic carbon and dissolved organic nitrogen by 3 to 36%, with higher reductions observed at warmer temperatures. The removal of the preceding two parameters corresponded to some decreases in trihalomethane, haloacetic acid, halonitromethane, and N ‐nitrosodimethylamine precursors. Phosphate amendment had some effect on water quality parameters, DBP precursors, and operational parameters. Phosphate amendment enhanced the microbial activity during cold‐temperature months, which resulted in higher particle counts compared with conventional BAF effluent. BAF can be an effective strategy for utilities to comply with disinfection by‐product regulations, especially in warm weather, and their amendment can further improve water quality and/or operation.