Implementation of chlorine dioxide disinfection: Effects of the treatment change on drinking water quality in a full-scale distribution system. Issue 5 (1st September 2002)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Volk, C J; Hofmann, R; Chauret, C; Gagnon, G A; Ranger, G; Andrews, R C
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental engineering and science. Volume 1:Issue 5(2002)
• Page Start: 323
• Page End: 330
• Publication Date: 2002-09-01
• Subjects: environment; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Sanitary engineering -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Canada -- Periodicals; Environnement, Technique de l' -- Périodiques; Technique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Environnement, Technique de l' -- Canada -- Périodiques; Environmental engineering; Sanitary engineering; Canada; Electronic journals; Computer network resources; Periodicals; 628.05
• DOI: 10.1139/s02-026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1496-2551

Abstract

Abstract : Drinking water utilities may have to consider changing disinfectant to improve water quality and meet more stringent disinfection regulations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of a full-scale drinking water distribution system to a change in disinfectant from chlorine to chlorine dioxide, in terms of its impact on microbiological stability and disinfection by-product formation. Chlorine dioxide residuals were consistently present above detection limits throughout the distribution system (>0.20 mg/L). Over a study period of 3.5 months, no degradation of bacterial water quality occurred after implementing the new disinfectant. Chlorine dioxide maintained total bacteria (microscopic counts) and heterotrophic plate count levels below 2 x 10 5 cells/mL and 1000 CFU/mL, respectively. The change in disinfectant from chlorine to chlorine dioxide led to an 85% reduction in trihalomethanes (i.e., from 30 to 5 μμg/L) and a 60% reduction in haloacetic acids (i.e., from 20 to 8 μμg/L). Chlorine dioxide represents a valuable tool to produce high quality water and is a strong alternative to chlorine for certain distribution systems. Key words : distribution system, chlorine dioxide, drinking water quality, disinfection by-products.