This study was undertaken to determine
how common operating conditions,
such as regular backwashing,
would affect bromate removal and
how operation of a filter for bromate
removal might affect downstream issues,
such as distribution system regrowth.
This study found that bromate,
a regulated compound, is reduced
to bromide in a biologically active carbon
(BAC) filter and that aerobic biodegradability
of natural organic matter was not
increased following low dissolved oxygen
(DO) BAC filtration. The study also
showed that operating conditions may
affect the extent of bromate removal in a
BAC filter and that disturbances in typical
operating conditions (high DO and so
forth) may impair the filter's performance
for future bromate removal. With these
findings in mind, treatment plants can carefully
consider BAC filter startup
conditions - the authors emphasize the
importance of the fact that filter startup
conditions can affect the filter's performance.
In addition, the authors recommend
that plants perform site-specific bench-scale
studies with granular activated carbon and
water of interest so that appropriate operational
filter parameters can be chosen. Includes 19 references, tables, figures.