scholarly journals Origin, Fate and Control of Pharmaceuticals in the Urban Water Cycle: A Case Study

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Hofman-Caris ◽  
Thomas ter Laak ◽  
Hans Huiting ◽  
Harry Tolkamp ◽  
Ad de Man ◽  
...  

The aquatic environment and drinking water production are under increasing pressure from the presence of pharmaceuticals and their transformation products in surface waters. Demographic developments and climate change result in increasing environmental concentrations, deeming abatement measures necessary. Here, we report on an extensive case study around the river Meuse and its tributaries in the south of The Netherlands. For the first time, concentrations in the tributaries were measured and their apportionment to a drinking water intake downstream were calculated and measured. Large variations, depending on the river discharge were observed. At low discharge, total concentrations up to 40 μg/L were detected, with individual pharmaceuticals exceeding thresholds of toxicological concern and ecological water-quality standards. Several abatement options, like reorganization of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and additional treatment of wastewater or drinking water were evaluated. Abatement at all WWTPs would result in a good chemical and ecological status in the rivers as required by the European Union (EU) Water Framework Directive. Considering long implementation periods and high investment costs, we recommend prioritizing additional treatment at the WWTPs with a high contribution to the environment. If drinking water quality is at risk, temporary treatment solutions in drinking water production can be considered. Pilot plant research proved that ultraviolet (UV) oxidation is a suitable solution for drinking water and wastewater treatment, the latter preferably in combination with effluent organic matter removal. In this way >95% of removal of pharmaceuticals and their transformation products can be achieved, both in drinking water and in wastewater. Application of UV/H2O2, preceded by humic acid removal by ion exchange, will cost about €0.23/m3 treated water.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. e0237335
Author(s):  
Tawanda E. Maguvu ◽  
Cornelius C. Bezuidenhout ◽  
Rinaldo Kritzinger ◽  
Karabo Tsholo ◽  
Moitshepi Plaatjie ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. W. J. M. de Vet ◽  
C. C. A. van Genuchten ◽  
M. C. M. van Loosdrecht ◽  
J. C. van Dijk

Abstract. In drinking water production, river bank filtration has the advantages of dampening peak concentrations of many dissolved components, substantially removing many micropollutants and removing, virtually completely, the pathogens and suspended solids. The production aquifer is not only fed by the river bank infiltrate but also by water percolating through covering layers. In the polder areas, these top layers consist of peat and deposits from river sediments and sea intrusions. This paper discusses the origin and fate of macro components in river bank filtrate, based on extensive full-scale measurements in well fields and treatment systems of the Drinking Water Company Oasen in the Netherlands. First, it clarifies and illustrates redox reactions and the mixing of river bank filtrate and PW as the dominant processes determining the raw water quality for drinking water production. Next, full-scale results are elaborated on to evaluate trickling filtration as an efficient and proven one-step process to remove methane, iron, ammonium and manganese. The interaction of methane and manganese removal with nitrification in these systems is further analyzed. Methane is mostly stripped during trickling filtration and its removal hardly interferes with nitrification. Under specific conditions, microbial manganese removal may play a dominant role.


2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfram Seitz ◽  
Jia-Qian Jiang ◽  
Walter H. Weber ◽  
Barry J. Lloyd ◽  
Matthias Maier ◽  
...  

Environmental Context.In recent years, many micro-organic pollutants, e.g. pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP), have been observed to be persisting through wastewater treatment and occurring in the environment. Persistent micropollutants are of particular concern owing to the fact that some of them have been found in drinking water, and iodinated X-ray contrast media (ICM) are one group of such pollutants. Abstract.The present study investigates the removal of five iodinated X-ray contrast media (ICM) during drinking water production from surface water at a full-scale water works, which comprises coagulation/flocculation, intermediate ozonation, in-line filtration and adsorption with activated carbon. The elimination rates over all treatment units for the non-ionic ICM (iomeprol, iopromide, iohexol and iopamidol) were determined to be approximately 70%. In particular, intermediate ozonation can remove 30% on average of the non-ionic ICM, whereas it cannot remove the ionic diatrizoic acid, and the granulated activated carbon filters can achieve a further 50% removal of non-ionic ICM. However, over 100 ng L−1 of ionic diatrizoic acid and 40–100 ng L−1 of non-ionic ICM were found in the produced drinking water.


Water ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petri Jokela ◽  
Tapani Eskola ◽  
Timo Heinonen ◽  
Unto Tanttu ◽  
Jukka Tyrväinen ◽  
...  

2000 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 135-142
Author(s):  
P. Lipp ◽  
G. Baldauf

Measurements of parasites in surface waters in Germany showed that their presence is widely spread. Concentrations may reach values up to a maximum of 50 cysts per 100 l. Normally raw waters used for drinking water production show much lower values. In order to ensure sufficient parasite removal in drinking water treatment plants an enhancement of particle removal is required. For filtration processes parameters influencing particle removal are filter media, filtration velocity, flocculant dosage, preozonationand filter back wash. Moderate filtration conditions show best results. Three case studies show that preozonation, optimized energy input and use of flocculants improve particle removal. One case study shows results of the first ultrafiltration plant in Germany treating reservoir and spring water for drinking water production.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. W. J. M. de Vet ◽  
C. C. A. van Genuchten ◽  
M. C. M. van Loosdrecht ◽  
J. C. van Dijk

Abstract. In drinking water production, river bank filtration has the advantages of dampening peak concentrations of many dissolved components, substantially removing many micropollutants and removing, virtually completely, the pathogens and suspended solids. The production aquifer is not only fed by the river bank infiltrate but also by water percolating through covering layers. In the polder areas, these top layers consist of peat and deposits from river sediments and sea intrusions. This paper discusses the origin and fate of macro pollutants in river bank filtrate, based on extensive full-scale measurements in well fields and treatment systems of the Drinking Water Company Oasen in the Netherlands. First, it clarifies and illustrates redox reactions and the mixing of river bank filtrate and polder water as the dominant processes determining the raw water quality for drinking water production. Next, full-scale results are elaborated on to evaluate trickling filtration as an efficient and proven one-step process to remove methane, iron, ammonium and manganese. The interaction of methane and manganese removal with nitrification in these systems is further analyzed. Methane is mostly stripped during trickling filtration and its removal hardly interferes with nitrification. Under specific conditions, microbial manganese removal may play a dominant role.


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