Wet weather impact on trihalomethane formation potential in tributaries to drinking water reservoirs. 2008

E Alkhatib, and R Peters
Chemistry Department, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT 06825, USA. alkhatibe@sacredheart.edu

During rain storm events, land surface runoff and resuspension of bottom sediments cause an increase in Trihalomethane (THM) precursors in rivers. These precursors, when chlorinated at water treatment facilities will lead to the formation of THMs and hence impact drinking water resources. In order to evaluate the wet weather impact on the potential formation of THMs, river samples were collected before, during and after three rain storms ranging from 15.2 to 24.9 mm precipitation. The samples were tested for THM formation potential and other indicators including UV254 absorbance, turbidity and volatile suspended solid (VSS). Average levels of THMs increased from 61 microg/l during dry weather to 131 microg/l during wet weather, and then went back to 81 microg/l after rain ended. Wet weather values of THM are well above the maximum contaminant level (MCL) 80 microg/l, set by EPA for drinking water. THM indicators also exhibited similar trends. Average levels increased from 0.6 to 1.8 abs; 2.6 to 6 ntu; and 7.5 to 15 mg/l respectively for UV254, turbidity and VSS. A positive correlation was observed between THM formation and THM indicators. The t-test of significance (p-value) was less than 0.05 for all indicators, and R values ranged from 0.85 to 0.92 between THMs and the indicators, and 0.72 to 0.9 among indicators themselves.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011891 Rain Water particles that fall from the ATMOSPHERE. Rains
D014481 United States A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.
D014484 United States Environmental Protection Agency An agency in the Executive Branch of the Federal Government. It was created as an independent regulatory agency responsible for the implementation of federal laws designed to protect the environment. Its mission is to protect human health and the ENVIRONMENT. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S.),Environmental Protection Agency,Environmental Protection Agency, United States,USEPA
D014881 Water Supply Means or process of supplying water (as for a community) usually including reservoirs, tunnels, and pipelines and often the watershed from which the water is ultimately drawn. (Webster, 3d ed) Supplies, Water,Supply, Water,Water Supplies
D022882 Trihalomethanes Methanes substituted with three halogen atoms, which may be the same or different. Trihalomethane

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