EDCs and pharmaceuticals are groups of emerging contaminants that have been detected at trace concentrations in waters around the world. These contaminants encompass a vast range of molecular structure and properties. Sparse data exist on the occurrence and fate of these emerging contaminants during water treatment. This project investigated EDC/pharmaceutical occurrence in U.S. drinking water and the efficacy of conventional and advanced water treatment processes to reduce the concentrations of these contaminants.? The objectives of this study were to (1) select a diverse group of representative endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and pharmaceuticals, (2) develop a robust analytical methodology capable of trace detection of target compounds in a variety of water matrices, (3) determine the occurrence of target compounds in U.S. drinking waters, (4) evaluate the EDC/pharmaceutical removal potential of conventional and advanced drinking and reuse water processes, and (5) evaluate computer models to predict target compound properties and fate.? This report provides fundamental information on the removal of several classes of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and suspected endocrine disrupting chemicals by conventional and advanced water treatment processes. A detailed description of analytical methods is provided, including information on sample preservation, extraction, and instrumental analysis. The report provides some of the first U.S. occurrence data for these emerging contaminants in raw and finished drinking water supplies. From the treatment and occurrence information, compounds with likely occurrence can be selected for monitoring programs that will represent the fate of various classes of emerging contaminants. Computer models are described that can be used to predict properties and fate of future water contaminants.
The California Department of Health Services has established a provisional action level of 4 ug/L for perchlorate in drinking water due to its toxicity. There are 14 states in the United States that have thus far confirmed perchlorate in ground or surface waters. Ongoing research is investigating other treatment technologies for perchlorate rejection, including biological degradation, ion exchange, and activated carbon. The major objectives of this project were to:? determine the removal/rejection of perchlorate (ClO4-) ion by high pressure membranes, including reverse osmosis (RO), nanofiltration (NF), and tight ultrafiltration (UF);?????????????? evaluate the effects of water quality parameters, pH, ionic strength (conductivity), and co-ions and counter-ions, on process performance; and?????????????? study membrane operating conditions (e.g., recovery) on perchlorate rejection and potential scaling. Water quality is a determining factor in applying high pressure membranes to perchlorate rejection. Effective rejection of perchlorate by RO, NF, and tight UF has been demonstrated according to two rejection mechanisms: steric (size) versus electrostatic (charge) exclusion.? Based on its size (hydrodynamic radius), perchlorate is selectively rejected over chloride through size exclusion; however, based on charge exclusion, sulfate is selectively rejected over perchlorate. Originally published by AwwaRF for its subscribers in 2003. This publication can also be purchased and downloaded via Pay Per View on Water Intelligence Online
EDCs and pharmaceuticals are groups of emerging contaminants that have been detected at trace concentrations in waters around the world. These contaminants encompass a vast range of molecular structure and properties. Sparse data exist on the occurrence and fate of these emerging contaminants during water treatment. This project investigated EDC/pharmaceutical occurrence in U.S. drinking water and the efficacy of conventional and advanced water treatment processes to reduce the concentrations of these contaminants.? The objectives of this study were to (1) select a diverse group of representative endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and pharmaceuticals, (2) develop a robust analytical methodology capable of trace detection of target compounds in a variety of water matrices, (3) determine the occurrence of target compounds in U.S. drinking waters, (4) evaluate the EDC/pharmaceutical removal potential of conventional and advanced drinking and reuse water processes, and (5) evaluate computer models to predict target compound properties and fate.? This report provides fundamental information on the removal of several classes of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and suspected endocrine disrupting chemicals by conventional and advanced water treatment processes. A detailed description of analytical methods is provided, including information on sample preservation, extraction, and instrumental analysis. The report provides some of the first U.S. occurrence data for these emerging contaminants in raw and finished drinking water supplies. From the treatment and occurrence information, compounds with likely occurrence can be selected for monitoring programs that will represent the fate of various classes of emerging contaminants. Computer models are described that can be used to predict properties and fate of future water contaminants.
The California Department of Health Services has established a provisional action level of 4 ug/L for perchlorate in drinking water due to its toxicity. There are 14 states in the United States that have thus far confirmed perchlorate in ground or surface waters. Ongoing research is investigating other treatment technologies for perchlorate rejection, including biological degradation, ion exchange, and activated carbon. The major objectives of this project were to:? determine the removal/rejection of perchlorate (ClO4-) ion by high pressure membranes, including reverse osmosis (RO), nanofiltration (NF), and tight ultrafiltration (UF);?????????????? evaluate the effects of water quality parameters, pH, ionic strength (conductivity), and co-ions and counter-ions, on process performance; and?????????????? study membrane operating conditions (e.g., recovery) on perchlorate rejection and potential scaling. Water quality is a determining factor in applying high pressure membranes to perchlorate rejection. Effective rejection of perchlorate by RO, NF, and tight UF has been demonstrated according to two rejection mechanisms: steric (size) versus electrostatic (charge) exclusion.? Based on its size (hydrodynamic radius), perchlorate is selectively rejected over chloride through size exclusion; however, based on charge exclusion, sulfate is selectively rejected over perchlorate. Originally published by AwwaRF for its subscribers in 2003. This publication can also be purchased and downloaded via Pay Per View on Water Intelligence Online