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Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs)

The use of strong oxidants to disinfect water has virtually eliminated waterborne diseases like typhoid, cholera, and dysentery in developed countries. However, research has shown that chlorine interacts with natural organic matter present in water supplies to form regulated and emerging disinfection byproducts (DBPs).

To minimize the formation of regulated DBPs and comply with existing regulations, water utilities have increasingly been moving away from chlorine to use alternative disinfectants like chloramine, or installing more advanced and costly treatment processes, such as ozone or granular activated carbon to remove DBP precursors. However, while reducing the formation of halogenated DBPs, alternative oxidants have been shown to favor the formation of other DBPs (e.g., ozone producing bromate and halonitromethanes, and chloramines producing N-nitrosodimethylamine and iodinated DBPs). 

For more information, contact Kenan Ozekin.

Topic Overview (PDF)
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74 Projects 1 Web Tool 1 Case Study 2 Webcasts
Water Quality
Advanced Treatment
Biofiltration
Emerging Disinfection Byproducts
Treatment
Project #4711

Occurrence Survey of Bromide and Iodide in Water Supplies

$757,655
2022
Completed

Project Highlights

Disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation depends on the presence and reactivity of oxidants and precursors (e.g., natural organic matter [NOM], bromide, and/or iodide ions) and is influenced by water quality and treatment conditions. Controlling DBP formation has historically focused on removing...

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Principal Investigator
Paul
Westerhoff
Research Manager
Dr. Kenan Ozekin

The Role and Behavior of Chloramines in Drinking Water

In recent years, many utilities implemented chloramine disinfection, primarily to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Stage 1 and Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rules. This state of the science document summarizes relevant WRF research on chloramines, provides an overview of chloramine use in water treatment, and discusses the concerns associated with its use.

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Water Treatment Plant process at sunset

Recent Updates

Project #5043
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Reporting Period: November 1, 2022 – February 1, 2023

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Reporting Period: December 2021 - May 2022

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Reporting Period: July 1, 2021 - January 1, 2022. This reporting period, full chapter drafts from...

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The Use of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Technologies and...

Reporting Period: November 1, 2021 – January 31, 2022. A comprehensive literature review summarizing the state...

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News

The Water Research Foundation Funds Utility Research Projects

Press Release
12/15/2022

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) has selected seven new projects for funding through its Tailored Collaboration Program, totaling over $3 million in research value. The projects will focus on various...

The Water Research Foundation Seeks Proposals for 20 New Research Projects

Press Release
09/29/2022

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is now accepting proposals for 20 research projects, funded through WRF’s Research Priority Program, that will advance the science of water for communities around the...

WRF Funds Seven New Research Projects

Press Release
05/20/2021

The Water Research Foundation Funds Seven New Projects Volunteers Needed, RFPs Coming in August The Water Research Foundation (WRF) will soon post Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and is seeking volunteers...

View all Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) News

Resources

Subscriber

Chemically Enhanced Biological Filtration to Enhance Water Quality and Minimize Costs, Appendices A - D

Project Paper
02/26/2016
02/26/2016
Public Plus

Chemically Enhanced Biological Filtration to Enhance Water Quality and Minimize Costs

Executive Summary
02/29/2016
02/29/2016
Subscriber

Chemically Enhanced Biological Filtration to Enhance Water Quality and Minimize Costs: Phase II Pilot-Scale Evaluation

Report
#4429B
07/08/2016
07/08/2016
View all Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) Resources

Related Topics

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Emerging Disinfection Byproducts

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Advanced Treatment

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Biofiltration

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Treatment

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Water Quality

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