The presence of bromide in drinking water typically leads to the formation of brominated DBPs upon chlorination. Bromide is not removed by conventional water treatment processes. Ion-exchange and high-pressure membrane filtration remove bromide but produce a concentrated brine waste stream. One emerging technology for bromide removal is electrolysis. Limited design data on bromide removal by electrolysis are available in the literature. However, design parameters, operational constraints, and costs need to be defined. The objectives of the study were to (1) determine operational conditions under which electrolysis removes bromide and decreases the formation of halogenated disinfection by-products (DBPs); (2) investigate the effect of electrolysis on ozonation DBPs (bromate), bacterial regrowth, and taste andor; (3) evaluate the impact of electrolysis on conventional coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation and ozonation; (4) evaluate scalability and conceptual design issues; (5) determine preliminary capital and operational costs; and (6) determine future needs for demonstrating the technology. A four phased-approach was undertaken to conduct this project. During the first phase, the electrolytic reactor was designed, constructed, and activated. During the second phase, the electrolytic reactor was operated under several conditions of hydraulic residence time, current level, and influent bromide level. Key analytical parameters were measured, including bromide, bromine, chlorine, and THM and HAA concentrations. During the third phase, conventional treatment consisting of coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation and/or ozonation was tested downstream of electrolysis to investigate whether electrolysis is feasible in a conventional treatment plant context. During the fourth phase, scale up, safety, and conceptual design issues were identified and preliminary costs estimated. A workshop was held towards the end of the study to identify future needs.

The objectives of this project were (1) to measure consumer satisfaction with tap water quality, (2) to investigate demographic trends in consumer satisfaction and consumption of tap water alternatives, (3) to identify the factors that cause consumers to purchase and use bottled water and POU/POEs, and (4) to develop a list of recommendations for water utilities that can improve consumer satisfaction and help bridge gaps between perception and reality.? The following are highlights from the research project: Consumption rate of tap water alternatives is highly dependent on geographic location (20% usage rate in the Midwest vs. 80% on the West Coast).?????????????? Tap water drinkers are more satisfied (20% on average) than tap water alternative drinkers concerning various aspects of tap water (e.g., overall quality, taste, appearance, smell, safety, healthiness).?????????????? Tap water quality had limited influence on consumer satisfaction.?????????????? The highest level of correlation (between satisfaction and water quality) was found to have an R2 - value of 34%-64% for hardness and total dissolved solids.?????????????? Safety was the primary motivator for filtered water drinkers.??????????????? Bottled water drinkers were divided between taste, safety, and healthiness.?

The presence of bromide in drinking water typically leads to the formation of brominated DBPs upon chlorination. Bromide is not removed by conventional water treatment processes. Ion-exchange and high-pressure membrane filtration remove bromide but produce a concentrated brine waste stream. One emerging technology for bromide removal is electrolysis. Limited design data on bromide removal by electrolysis are available in the literature. However, design parameters, operational constraints, and costs need to be defined. The objectives of the study were to (1) determine operational conditions under which electrolysis removes bromide and decreases the formation of halogenated disinfection by-products (DBPs); (2) investigate the effect of electrolysis on ozonation DBPs (bromate), bacterial regrowth, and taste andor; (3) evaluate the impact of electrolysis on conventional coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation and ozonation; (4) evaluate scalability and conceptual design issues; (5) determine preliminary capital and operational costs; and (6) determine future needs for demonstrating the technology. A four phased-approach was undertaken to conduct this project. During the first phase, the electrolytic reactor was designed, constructed, and activated. During the second phase, the electrolytic reactor was operated under several conditions of hydraulic residence time, current level, and influent bromide level. Key analytical parameters were measured, including bromide, bromine, chlorine, and THM and HAA concentrations. During the third phase, conventional treatment consisting of coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation and/or ozonation was tested downstream of electrolysis to investigate whether electrolysis is feasible in a conventional treatment plant context. During the fourth phase, scale up, safety, and conceptual design issues were identified and preliminary costs estimated. A workshop was held towards the end of the study to identify future needs.

The objectives of this project were (1) to measure consumer satisfaction with tap water quality, (2) to investigate demographic trends in consumer satisfaction and consumption of tap water alternatives, (3) to identify the factors that cause consumers to purchase and use bottled water and POU/POEs, and (4) to develop a list of recommendations for water utilities that can improve consumer satisfaction and help bridge gaps between perception and reality.? The following are highlights from the research project: Consumption rate of tap water alternatives is highly dependent on geographic location (20% usage rate in the Midwest vs. 80% on the West Coast).?????????????? Tap water drinkers are more satisfied (20% on average) than tap water alternative drinkers concerning various aspects of tap water (e.g., overall quality, taste, appearance, smell, safety, healthiness).?????????????? Tap water quality had limited influence on consumer satisfaction.?????????????? The highest level of correlation (between satisfaction and water quality) was found to have an R2 - value of 34%-64% for hardness and total dissolved solids.?????????????? Safety was the primary motivator for filtered water drinkers.??????????????? Bottled water drinkers were divided between taste, safety, and healthiness.?