Evaluation of phosphorus removal from a lake by two drinking water treatment plants.

The impact of drinking water treatment plants on phosphorous in a lake has never been previously reported. In this mass balance study, phosphorus removal by a conventional plant and a membrane plant on Lake Simcoe was monitored. Approximately 16 kg of phosphorus per year were removed from the lake by the membrane plant, representing 72% of the influent phosphorous load to the plant.