Investigation of the Efficiency of the Conventional Water Treatment Processes Employed to Eliminate TOC in Jalaliyeh Water Treatment Plant, Tehran

Abstract

Background: The organic compounds that are present in water facilitate the formation of Trihalomethanes (THMs) and mutagenic substances and consequently undermine the suitability of drinking water. Objectives: This work aimed to investigate the extent to which total organic carbons (TOCs) are efficiently removed in the Jalaliyeh water treatment plant. Methods: Water samples, which included raw water, the effluent after the accelerator process, and the effluent after the filtration process, were taken from the Jalaliyeh water treatment plant over the course of six months. Three samples of each type were taken on two specific days of each week, equating to 24 samples in each month and 144 samples in total. TOC measurements were taken using a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 555 nm. Results: When the input TOC was at its maximum value, TOC removal efficiency was around 80%. This could potentially be increased by augmenting the amount of coagulant substance or through the use of coagulant aid. The removal efficiency reduced as the concentration of TOC input reduced. Conclusions: The accelerator eliminated TOC with an acceptable level of efficiency. The samples taken after rainy days contained higher organic matter content, especially TOC, than on the days following no rainfall.