AWWA JAW70705

Amino acids (AAs) are known precursors to regulated and unregulated disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Nitrogenous DBPs are of concern in the drinking water industry because they can be more geno- and cytotoxic than many of the currently regulated carbon-based DBPs. The authors measured occurrences and removals of AAs in raw water and filter effluents from 16 full-scale drinking water treatment plants that treat water impaired by upstream wastewater discharge or algal growth. The AAs measured in this study accounted for only a small portion of the dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) pool and were removed, to a high degree, during drinking water treatment. This work illustrates that although amino acids can account for a more significant portion of the DON pool in natural lakes and streams, the influence of wastewater discharge and algal activity produce a pool of organic nitrogen not likely to account for all of the nitrogenous DBPs. This unidentified DON warrants identification and further study. Includes 61 references, table, figures.