AWWA WQTC58833

The Regional Municipality of Durham (Region) undertook this study to develop an alternative solution to granular activated carbon (GAC) filter caps for the treatment of taste and odor-causing compounds. The most recent recorded taste and odor events in the Region occurred in the summers of 1997, 1998, and 1999. A pilot-scale study was conducted at the Bowmanville Water Supply Plant (WSP) in the fall of 2002. The purpose of the study was to investigate the use of UV irradiation and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with an aluminum-based metal catalyst, similar to what is known as "Fenton's Reaction," to cause an advanced oxidation reaction for taste and odor control. The UV oxidation process proved to be an effective treatment method for reducing Geosmin in the water. The use of the catalysts to enhance the performance of the UV and hydrogen peroxide oxidation process was not significant and deemed not worth pursuing at this time. The UV oxidation process appears to be a cost effective alternative for treating Geosmin at the Region's drinking water supply plants and worthy of further investigation. Includes tables, figures.