生物处理，如慢速砂滤，可以帮助某些水系统满足地表水处理规则的要求，而不违反消毒副产品规则。使用臭氧或高级氧化工艺等氧化剂可以提高天然有机物（NOM）的生物降解性。本文对这一主题进行了详细概述，首先介绍了NOM生物降解性的背景信息，以及利用臭氧增强NOM生物降解性的方法。本文研究了预分区和水柱生物膜支撑结构对慢速砂滤器性能和接受预分区的饮用水处理工艺的微生物学的影响。 作者还比较了增强型慢砂滤池与使用臭氧的传统饮用水处理工艺的性能和微生物学。

Biological treatment, such as slow sand filtration, may help some water systems meet the requirements of the Surface Water Treatment Rule without violating the disinfection byproducts rule. The use of oxidants such as ozone or advanced oxidation processes can increase the biodegradability of natural organic matter (NOM). This paper offers a detailed overview of the subject, beginning with background information on the biodegradability of NOM and the use of ozone to enhance NOM biodegradability. The paper examines the effects of preozonation and water column biofilm support structures on slow sand filter performance and the microbiology of drinking water treatment processes receiving preozonation. The author also compares performance and microbiology of enhanced slow sand filters to conventional drinking water treatment processes using ozone.