Small water systems face challenges complying with existing regulations including the
Stage 1 Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts Rule (D/DBPR) and will face increased
challenges when the Stage 2 D/DBPR becomes effective. There will be additional
challenges for surface water supplies that contain natural organic matter (NOM) with
characteristics that produce DBPs exceeding the total trihalomethane (TTHM) or the five
regulated haloacetic acid (HAA5) maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). In addition
some source water characteristics and other treated water quality goals may interfere
with DBP control strategies. This presentation describes the Calaveras County Water
District (District) Jenny Lind Domestic Water System (JLDWS) experience with the
Stage 1 D/DBP Rule. Specifically, the JLDWS exceeded the HAA5 running annual
average (RAA) MCL of 60 µg/L during 2005. the raw water treated at the Jenny Lind Water Treatment Plant
(JLWTP) has been more difficult to treat due to a relatively high manganese
concentration in its source water, and a higher than normal TOC level during the past
4 years associated with a three-year drought followed by a higher than normal rainfall
during the winter in 2004 and 2005. The JLWTP operators have used ozone, chlorine
and potassium permanganate for pre-oxidation, and use polyaluminum chloride (PACl)
or PACl blended with polymer for coagulation. The treatment process includes contact
clarification and filtration in five modular treatment units. Chlorine is added to the filtered
water between the water treatment units and two on-site clearwells. Distribution system strategies include seasonally reducing the volume in the storage
tanks located throughout the JLDWS to reduce the maximum water age. The TTHM and
HAA5 monitoring frequency was also increased from quarterly to monthly to reduce the
risk that a single laboratory result could create a compliance problem. A bench scale
evaluation of TTHM and HAA5 formation as a function of time conducted in October
2005 indicated that the water age should be less than 3 days to facilitate compliance with the HAA5 MCL. Potential process modifications included optimizing operation of
the existing ozone system, evaluating use of chlorine dioxide for pre-oxidation, using granular activated carbon
(GAC) filter media to remove the TOC fraction associated with UV254 absorbance and
high SUVA values, and/or switching to chloramines as a final disinfectant. Includes 5 references, table, figures.