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Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on Drinking Water Treatment
Citation:
Clark, R. M., Z. Li, S. G. Buchberger, W. M. Grayman, AND Y. J. YANG. Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on Drinking Water Treatment. Presented at First National Expert and Stakeholder Workshop on Water Sustainability and Adaptation to Climate Change, Washington, DC, January 06 - 07, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public.
Description:
Climate change may affect both surface water and ground water quality. Increases (or decreases) in precipitation and related changes in flow can result in problematic turbidity levels, increased levels of organic matter, high levels of bacteria, virus and parasites and increased levels of pesticides in lakes, rivers and streams (Interlandi et al. 2003). These changes coupled with increasing population in urban areas have the potential to impact the design and operation of future drinking water treatment plants. The EPA Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Model has been adapted and utilized to address these impacts. The WTP Model uses empirical correlations to predict central tendencies of variables such as Natural Organic Matter (NOM) removal, disinfection, and DBP formation in a treatment plant (USEPA, 2005). The model has been validated using data from the USEPA’s Information Collection Rule (ICR) in conjunction with data from the Greater Cincinnati Water Works’ Miller (surface water) and Bolton (ground water), treatment plants. To illustrate the model’s application an example has been constructed using historical TOC data and two hypothesized increases in TOC (to represent climate change impacts). The effects of these three scenarios were evaluated by simulating a conventional water treatment plant and a conventional plant with the addition of GAC. It was found that the conventional plant could not meet current drinking water standards under these scenarios. However, by adding GAC and varying reactivation frequency it was found that the simulated GAC plant could meet current disinfection by product regulations, but, at increased cost (Clark and Lykins, 1989).