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Models for estimation of the presence of non-regulated disinfection by-products in small drinking water systems

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Abstract

Among all the organic disinfection by-products (DBPs), only trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) are regulated in drinking water, while most DBPs are not. Very little information exists on the occurrence of non-regulated DBPs, particularly in small water systems (SWS). Paradoxically, SWS are more vulnerable to DBPs because of a low capacity to implement adequate treatment technologies to remove DBP precursors. Since DBP analyses are expensive, usually SWS have difficulties to implement a rigorous characterization of these contaminants. The purpose of this study was to estimate non-regulated DBP levels in SWS from easy measurements of relevant parameters regularly monitored. Since no information on non-regulated DBPs in SWS was available, a sampling program was carried out in 25 SWS in two provinces of Canada. Five DBP families were investigated: THMs, HAAs, haloacetonitriles (HANs), halonitromethanes (HNMs), and haloketones (HKs). Multivariate linear mixed regression models were developed to estimate HAN, HK, and HNM levels from water quality characteristics in the water treatment plant, concentrations of regulated DBPs, and residual disinfectant levels. The models obtained have a good explanatory capacity since R 2 varies from 0.77 to 0.91 according to compounds and conditions for application (season and type of treatment). Model validation with an independent database suggested their ability for generalization in similar SWS in North America.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank all the voluntary municipalities and the water operators of the 25 SWS for their contribution. Many thanks also to the Department of Environment and Conservation of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Ministère du Développement Durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les Changements Climatiques of Quebec for their support. The authors also thank all CREPUL members for their priceless help during the study.

Funding

Financial support for this project was received from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) through Res’EAU-WaterNET Research Network.

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  1. École supérieure d’aménagement du territoire et développement régional (ESAD), Université Laval, 1624 Pavillon Savard, Québec, G1K 7P4, Canada

    Stéphanie Guilherme & Manuel J. Rodriguez

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  1. Stéphanie Guilherme
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  2. Manuel J. Rodriguez
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Correspondence to Manuel J. Rodriguez.

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Guilherme, S., Rodriguez, M.J. Models for estimation of the presence of non-regulated disinfection by-products in small drinking water systems. Environ Monit Assess 189, 577 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6296-5

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