AWWA ACE94129 ✓ Most Recent

Based upon the information presented in this paper, the following conclusions are reached: DBP formation can be associated with DOC under constant chlorination conditions. Only 1 to 2 percent of the DOC, however, is organically-bound halogenated DBPs. The interest in removing DOC stems from the understanding that DOC, when chlorinated, will form DBPs and that only 30 to 50 percent of DBPs, measured as TOX have been identified. The database for DOC is not widespread on either a spatial or temporal basis. As a result, recent regulations have addressed TOC rather than DOC, because DOC data were less available. Little research has been published correlating specific components or fractions of TOC to DBP formation. Consequently, it is not possible at this time to establish regulations with an emphasis on targeting removal of specific portions of TOC most responsible for DBP formation. The cost for reducing TOC is significantly greater than the cost for reducing DBPs. As a potential limit for TOC decreases, there is a shift towards more advanced technologies to achieve compliance, such as GAC adsorption or membranes. There is significant cost associated with these more advanced technologies. Cost is not the only issue associated with large changes in advanced technology implementation; cross-media impacts also must be considered. Finally, the water industry's experience is increasing as advanced technologies begin to gain more widespread use. Until treatment and cross-media impacts are better understood, however, the potential for direct regulatory control of TOC will remain uncertain. See more