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Investigations into Drinking Water Distribution System Nitrification: EPA Microelectrode Research
Citation:
WAHMAN, D., W. Lee, P. L. Bishop, AND J. G. PRESSMAN. Investigations into Drinking Water Distribution System Nitrification: EPA Microelectrode Research. Presented at Spring 2011 Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering Seminar Series, Oregon State University , Corvallis, OR, May 16, 2011.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public.
Description:
Because of the Stage 1 and Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproduct Rules, chloramination for secondary disinfection in the United States is predicted to increase to 57% of all surface and 7% of all ground water treatment systems. Chloramination comes with the risk of distribution system nitrification. Based on utility surveys, 30 to 63% of utilities practicing chloramination for secondary disinfection experience nitrification episodes. Nitrification in drinking water distribution systems is undesirable and may result in water quality degradation (e.g., disinfectant depletion, coliform occurrences, or nitrite/nitrate formation) and subsequent non-compliance with existing regulations (e.g., Surface Water Treatment Rule or Total Coliform Rule). Thus, nitrification control is a major issue in practice and likely to become increasingly important as chloramination increases. Ongoing research at the USEPA is investigating several facets of distribution system nitrification and results from a research project using microelectrodes to investigate distribution system nitrification will be presented.