The pesticide mineralization capacity in sand filter units of drinking water treatment plants (DWTP): Consistency in time and relationship with intake water and sand filter characteristics.

Sand filters (SFs) are commonly applied in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) for removal of iron and manganese but also show potential for microbial degradation of pesticide residues. The latter is advantageous in case the intake water contains pesticide residues. However, whether this involves mineralization suggesting no generation of harmful transformation products, its consistency over time, and how this ability relates to physicochemical and biological characteristics of the DWTP intake water and the SFs is unknown.

Mineralization of the Common Groundwater Pollutant 2,6-Dichlorobenzamide (BAM) and its Metabolite 2,6-Dichlorobenzoic Acid (2,6-DCBA) in Sand Filter Units of Drinking Water Treatment Plants.

The intrinsic capacity to mineralize the groundwater pollutant 2,6-dichlorobenzamide (BAM) and its metabolite 2,6-dichlorobenzoic acid (2,6-DCBA) was evaluated in samples from sand filters (SFs) of drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). Whereas BAM mineralization occurred rarely and only in SFs exposed to BAM, 2,6-DCBA mineralization was common in SFs, including those treating uncontaminated water. Nevertheless, SFs treating BAM contaminated water showed the highest 2,6-DCBA mineralization rates.

Is biological treatment a viable alternative for micropollutant removal in drinking water treatment processes?

In western societies, clean and safe drinking water is often taken for granted, but there are threats to drinking water resources that should not be underestimated. Contamination of drinking water sources by anthropogenic chemicals is one threat that is particularly widespread in industrialized nations. Recently, a significant amount of attention has been given to the occurrence of micropollutants in the urban water cycle.