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The Effect of Water Chemistry on the Removal of Arsenic from Drinking Water During Iron Removal Treatment
Citation:
LATHAM, M. AND D. A. LYTLE. The Effect of Water Chemistry on the Removal of Arsenic from Drinking Water During Iron Removal Treatment. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/F-10/005, 2010.
Impact/Purpose:
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Description:
This research investigates the effects of water chemistry, oxidant type and concentration on the removal of iron and arsenic from drinking water. The research will be conducted using one of the National Risk Management Research Laboratory’s Water Supply and Water Resources Division’s current drinking water treatment pilot plants. Suspension color, turbidity, pH, and iron and arsenic levels will be regularly monitored during pilot plan runs. The impact of water quality including calcium, chlorine, orthophosphate and sulfate on iron and arsenic removal will be determined. The effect of water chemistry and oxidant on pilot plant operational parameters, such as filter headloss, will also be considered. The results of this research thus far showed that (1) arsenic removal improves with increasing iron concentration and particle surface area; (2) freshly precipitated Fe particles had a much greater capacity to remove arsenic than preformed particles that were formed by oxidation of ferrous Fe with either oxygen or chlorine; (3) chlorination, or application of a stronger oxidant, may be necessary to improve arsenic removal at many drinking water treatment plants; (4) the point of strong oxidant addition in the treatment train is important; and (5) the pH and other competing water quality variables such as phosphate play significant roles in the amount of arsenic removed.
URLs/Downloads:
THE EFFECT OF WATER CHEMISTRY ON THE REMOVAL OF ARSENIC FROM DRINKING WATER DURING IRON REMOVAL TREATMENTFact Sheet (PDF, NA pp, 210 KB, about PDF)