Disinfection by-product (DBP) formation and minimisation in drinking water

Abstract

The challenge: Potable water in SEQ is treated using disinfection processes that involve chlorination or chloramination, a process which involves adding chlorine and ammonia to water. These treatment processes can produce potentially harmful disinfection by-products (DBPs) such as trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs) and nitrosamines including NDMA. The response: The project was established in January 2009 to improve the quality and amount of data on DBP levels in SEQ’s drinking water, especially NDMA, and to gain a greater understanding of advanced water treatment processes to minimise DBP formation.