Removal of Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acids from Treated Drinking Water by Biological Activated Carbon Filter

This study investigated the use of biological activated carbon filters (BACF) to reduce the amounts of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in treated drinking water in a water treatment plant. To accomplish this, experiments were conducted in a pilot-scale treatment system to evaluate the removal of trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) by BACF. The results showed that BACF treatment reduced the total concentration of THMs and HAAs to meet the national drinking water standard in Taiwan. The predicted and measured values of THMs and HAAs in output water treated with a BACF showed linear relationships, with correlation coefficients (R) of 0.83 and 0.84, respectively. The results of two predictive equations of DBPs using parameters of water quality, such as total organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, ammonia nitrogen, ultraviolet254, and total phosphorous were also established. The results of the present study can be used as a reference for water treatment plants or water distribution systems that provide drinking water.