Project 5140

The Impact of Pre-Chlorination and GAC Treatment on DBP Formation and Overall Toxicity in Drinking Water

$159,297
PUBLISHED
Principal Investigator
Caroline Russell
Research Principal
Grace Jang, PhD
Contractor
Carollo Engineers
Advanced Treatment
Biofiltration
Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs)
Source & Receiving Waters

Abstract

This project investigated the impact of granular activated carbon (GAC) with and without pre-chlorination on disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation and the resulting toxicity of drinking water using appropriate bioassays. A systematic evaluation of source water bromide and iodide concentrations, disinfection pH, and degree of GAC breakthrough was conducted at the pilot-scale. In addition, DBP formation and toxicity were analyzed at full-scale plants that use (1) GAC to treat groundwater, surface water, and potable reuse water; (2) ozone and biological filtration to treat surface water; and (3) aeration to strip volatile DBPs. Published in 2025.

The following published journal articles focused on this research:

Resources