Pilot-scale evaluation of ozone and biological activated carbon for trace organic contaminant mitigation and disinfection

Daniel Gerrity, Sujanie Gamage, Janie C. Holady, Douglas B. Mawhinney, Oscar Quiñones, Rebecca A. Trenholm, Shane A. Snyder

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

259 Scopus citations

Abstract

In an effort to validate the use of ozone for contaminant oxidation and disinfection in water reclamation, extensive pilot testing was performed with ozone/H2O2 and biological activated carbon (BAC) at the Reno-Stead Water Reclamation Facility in Reno, Nevada. Three sets of samples were collected over a five-month period of continuous operation, and these samples were analyzed for a suite of trace organic contaminants (TOrCs), total estrogenicity, and several microbial surrogates, including the bacteriophage MS2, total and fecal coliforms, and Bacillus spores. Based on the high degree of microbial inactivation and contaminant destruction, this treatment train appears to be a viable alternative to the standard indirect potable reuse (IPR) configuration (i.e., membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, UV/H2O2, and aquifer injection), particularly for inland applications where brine disposal is an issue. Several issues, including regrowth of coliform bacteria in the BAC process, must be addressed prior to full-scale implementation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2155-2165
Number of pages11
JournalWater research
Volume45
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biological activated carbon (BAC)
  • Disinfection
  • Endocrine disrupting compound (EDC)
  • Indirect potable reuse (IPR)
  • Ozone
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Pilot-scale
  • Trace organic contaminant (TOrC)
  • Wastewater

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Water Science and Technology
  • Ecological Modeling
  • Pollution
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Civil and Structural Engineering

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