Evaluation impact of point of use (POU) household water treatment devices (HWTDs) application on tap water quality and determine the removal efficiency of THMs and HAAs

Abstract

Application of household water treatment devices (HWTDs) is increasing due to the lack of confidence on supplying safe water by municipal drinking water distribution systems. The main objective of this study was to determine performance of HWTDs in the removal of trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), color, turbidity, lead and copper from household tap water. The amount of THMs and HAAs in the inlet water samples was obtained more than the drinking water maximum recommended levels. No significant correlation was obtained between removal efficiency of disinfection by products (DBPs), and color and turbidity. Maximum concentrations of THMs and HAAs at the inlet water samples were 156.35 and 124.20 آµg l-1, respectively. Highest concentration of THMs and HAAs at the outlet water samples were 47.11 and 45.40 آµg/l, respectively. HWTDs showed better performance in reducing HAAs than THMs. The devices showed maximum removal rate for dibro-mochloromethane (DBCM) and dichloroacetic acid (DCAA) with values of 85 and 74%, respectively. The results showed that HWTDs might not completely remove heavy metals and DBPs, however, these devices can help maintain the health of consumers with reducing the level of harmful compounds in municipal drinking water. é 2018 Desalination Publications. All rights reserved.