Berlin Tackles Drinking Water DBPs with Activated Carbon
Berlin, Germany, has been actively reducing organic concentrations in its drinking water systems by using powdered activated carbon (PAC) or granular activated carbon (GAC). This move aims to minimize the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs), which can pose health risks. The city's shift towards this method comes after decades of using monochloramine as a disinfectant, following the discovery of DBPs in the 1970s.
The use of PAC and GAC helps limit total organic carbon (TOC) before disinfection, thereby reducing DBP formation. PAC is typically employed to tackle transient spikes in organic pollutants, while GAC is more suitable for consistent organic contamination. Both PAC and GAC have their advantages and costs; GAC, for instance, utilizes more of the carbon's capacity but requires more capital expenditure.
In the United States, approximately 113 million Americans drink water disinfected with monochloramine. However, an unidentified byproduct was found in water treated with this disinfectant, later identified as the chloronitramide anion (Cl-N-NO2-). The health risks associated with this byproduct remain unknown, highlighting the importance of minimizing DBP formation overall, regardless of the disinfectant used. Further studies on DBP formation and organics removal before disinfection could make this approach an increasingly viable option for regulatory compliance.
Berlin's systematic implementation of PAC and GAC in its drinking water systems demonstrates a commitment to reducing DBP formation. As research continues, understanding the health risks of byproducts like the chloronitramide anion and optimizing organics removal before disinfection will be crucial for ensuring the safety of drinking water worldwide.
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