AWWA WQTC71624

AWWA WQTC71624 Pipe Flow through Investigation: Determining Potential Water Quality Problems Involved with Switching from Chlorine to Chloramines at the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) Part II
Conference Proceeding by American Water Works Association, 11/01/2009

Heberling, Jason A.; Barron, Patty; Peters, Robert W.

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The BWWB investigated as an alternative the feasibility of replacing the primarydisinfectant chlorine with chloramines. Water treated with chloramines has demonstratedsignificantly smaller DBP concentrations than water treated with chlorine (Brodtman1979). In January 2004, the Washington Post reported that the District of ColumbiaWater and Sewer Authority (WASA) had found elevated lead levels in the drinking waterof more than 4,000 homes in Washington, DC, during 2003 testing. Discovery ofincreased lead residual in WASA drinking water occurred in conjunction with the switchfrom chlorine to chloramines, as the primary disinfectant, in 2001 (Tiemann 2005).Because of the problems in Washington, DC, the BWWB began to consider otheralternatives to chloramines more seriously. However, BWWB chose to prudentlycomplete research planned during the consideration of chloramines. The purpose of thisstudy was to determine if chloramines increase metals residuals in pipes and fixtures treatedwith phosphate-based inhibitors. Includes 20 references, extended abstract only.