AWWA WQTC60698

The Gwinnett County Department of Public Utilities (GCDPU) decided to purchase an online total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer to help improve process control at the Lanier Filter Plant (LFP) in Buford, Georgia. Due to the variety of available measurement technologies and suppliers, it was not clear which type of instrument or which brand might work best at this facility. The GCDPU hired a consulting firm to perform a 1-month evaluation of several of the most prominent instruments on the market. Water Treatment Research, Inc. (WTR) contacted four vendors who were willing to supply an instrument for the 1-month demonstration period at no charge in hopes of having their instrument purchased by the GCDPU for use at the LFP. After the study was completed, it was clear that many differences existed between the various instruments. Further, it was clear that some of the key parameters were not readily apparent prior to the actual study. This paper was written in an effort to assist other water utilities in selection of the best TOC instrument for their utility. Several key issues and some major concerns associated with the selection on an online TOC are detailed in this paper. The GCDPU and WTR are not endorsing any of the instruments tested in favor of providing a comparison matrix that can be assigned weightings (based on individual preferences and concerns) to select the best instrument for a given application. Includes table, figures.