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Formation of nitrogenous disinfection by-products in 10 chlorinated and chloraminated drinking water supply systems

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Abstract

The presence of nitrogenous disinfection by-products (N-DBPs) in drinking water supplies is a public health concern, particularly since some N-DBPs have been reported to be more toxic than the regulated trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids. In this paper, a comprehensive evaluation of the presence of N-DBPs in 10 drinking water supply systems in Western Australia is presented. A suite of 28 N-DBPs, including N-nitrosamines, haloacetonitriles (HANs), haloacetamides (HAAms) and halonitromethanes (HNMs), were measured and evaluated for relationships with bulk parameters in the waters before disinfection. A number of N-DBPs were frequently detected in disinfected waters, although at generally low concentrations (<10 ng/L for N-nitrosamines and <10 μg/L for other N-DBPs) and below health guideline values where they exist. While there were no clear relationships between N-DBP formation and organic nitrogen in the pre-disinfection water, N-DBP concentrations were significantly correlated with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and ammonia, and these, in addition to high bromide in one of the waters, led to elevated concentrations of brominated HANs (26.6 μg/L of dibromoacetonitrile). There were significant differences in the occurrence of all classes of N-DBPs between chlorinated and chloraminated waters, except for HNMs, which were detected at relatively low concentrations in both water types. Trends observed in one large distribution system suggest that N-DBPs can continue to form or degrade within distribution systems, and redosing of disinfectant may cause further by-product formation.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Andrew Chan and Jace Tan for their assistance in N-DBP analysis, Geoff Chidlow for GC-MS technical assistance and Jeffrey Charrois (Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, Canada) for strategic project direction. We thank Rino Trolio, Ralph Henderson, Liza Breckler and Fern Bradder (Water Corporation of Western Australia) for advice and assistance. This study was funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC Linkage project LP110100548), Water Corporation of Western Australia, Water Research Australia and Curtin University.

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  1. Curtin Water Quality Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia

    Deborah Liew, Kathryn L. Linge & Cynthia A. Joll

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  1. Deborah Liew
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Correspondence to Deborah Liew.

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Liew, D., Linge, K.L. & Joll, C.A. Formation of nitrogenous disinfection by-products in 10 chlorinated and chloraminated drinking water supply systems. Environ Monit Assess 188, 518 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5529-3

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