AWWA WQTC64078

The removal characteristics of haloacetic acids (HAAs) by adsorption and/or bio-filtration using column tests with four media including ceramic, granular activated carbon (GAC), bioceramic and BAC were conducted. Dichloroacetic acid (DCAA) and trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) were spiked in a true drinking water drawn from underground water and were used as the target disinfection byproducts (DBPs). The results indicated that biodegradation could remove HAA very effectively. The removal efficiency was higher as the contact time became longer. When the empty bed contact time (EBCT) was set at 15min, 30min and 60min, the removal efficiencies of DCAA were all nearly 100% while for TCAA were 60%, 94% and 100%, correspondingly. HAAs removal by GAC at the initial period of the experiment was from carbon adsorption, whereas biodegradation was dominated for the HAA removal later in the experiment. Includes 16 references, table, figures.