American Water Works Association

The removal of micropollutants during wastewater treatment is an essential element of pollution control due to the last amendment of the Directive 91/271/EEC. Reducing and control at the source is usually the most cost-effective measure for a given substance or group of substances, but wastewater treatment plants with load above 150.000 PE (and between 10.000 and 150.000 PE based on the recieving watercourse or environmental risk assessment) have to reduce and remove the micropollutant in the future. The treatment plants have to install technologies which are optimal to eliminate the micropollutant (fourth stage or quaternary treatment technologies). The main quaternary treatment technologies are the different form of activated carbon filtration, membrane technologies (e.g. nanofiltration or reverse osmosis) and Advanced Oxidation Processes, AOP (e.g. ozone treatment). Among the options available for the removal of micropollutants, the most cost-effective solutions are activated carbon processes, ozone treatment, and their combination in different process configurations. At present, the combination of ozone treatment and activated carbon filtration is an effective technology to degrade the micropollutants, also the antibiotic resistant genes, and also remove the harmful by-products from the AOP treatment. For each wastewater treatment plant, it is necessary to individually examine which technology will be the most optimal to accomplish the new requirements.

AWWA Water Science is an interdisciplinary journal that publishes original, refereed (peer-reviewed) research on the science, engineering, and social aspects of water. AWS publishes research exploring theoretical, experimental, and practical approaches that advance fundamental understanding and application of all aspects of water works and any source water that could conceivably become a potable water supply.

Abstract The occurrence of taste and odor (T&O) compounds in drinking water can lead to public concern about quality when left unaddressed, therefore suitable treatment is needed. This study evaluated the treatability of 18 T&O compounds using chlorine, permanganate, and ozone in MilliQ and river water. Nine T&O compounds showed complete oxidation (>99% removal) in all water matrices by ozone. Most of the remaining T&O compounds were removed to >50% by ozone. Alkalinity, pH, and natural organic matter (NOM) had a significant impact on the decay of ozone. Chlorine and permanganate were ineffective (removal <30%) for 2‐methylisoborneol (2‐MIB), geosmin, hexanal, pyrazines, and haloanisoles. Although chlorine achieved complete removal for alkyl sulfides and indole, it was only partially effective for aldehydes and ketones. Permanganate was more effective than chlorine in oxidizing unsaturated aldehydes and ketones. Increased NOM and pH reduced oxidation effectiveness for chlorine, but not permanganate.

Asbestos cement (AC) pipe was used as pipe material starting from 1930s. It was widely used during 1950s–1960s, and it phased out in the US in 1980s due to health concerns and the availability of PVC pipe. It was estimated that 600,000 mi AC pipe were installed in the United States and Canada. Several studies show that AC pipes are experiencing accelerated failure in recent years. To prioritize the AC main replacements, it is important to understand the performance of AC pipe in the water system. This paper analyzes the failures of AC pipe using the most recent 12-year main break data. AC pipes in coastal area and inland area were analyzed separately to understand their break rates. The results of this analysis could help utilities better understand the performance of AC pipe and prioritize AC pipe replacement.

About five years ago I was surprised to learn there was growing enthusiasm around crypto, mainly because for the roughly 20 years before that, Crypto was widely understood in the water industry to refer to Cryptosporidium, a waterborne parasite that causes severe diarrheal disease. But now, crypto has a place in the world of finance. In English, crypto is an adjective meaning hidden, secret, or concealed, and in anatomy it refers to a pit or recess cavity. Sporidia are small spores or protozoa, and Cryptosporidium are tiny protozoan parasites (as oocysts), protected or hidden by an outer shell. It's their tough exterior that allows Crypto to survive in the environment and even tolerate low levels of chlorine. More broadly, the term crypto today refers to digital money that is untethered from normal financial practices and uses complex computer codes to encrypt, transmit, and decrypt exchanges. These codes are reportedly impossible to hack or duplicate, and users rely on the code complexity, inherent designs, and online security measures to protect their virtual currencies. Governments are designed to work with traditional, “visible” money, and cryptocurrency will now require new policies regarding taxation, dispute mediation, and international transmission. There are now many kinds of cryptocurrency, each with its own unique angle and branding. But in watching the popularity of cryptocurrencies rise, I am still left speculating why people would use them to make purchases or treat them as an investment. Cryptocurrencies have no inherent value and nothing backing them except the trust of coders and the security of the internet—maybe not the ideal situation for vital, large-scale investments. And for comparison with Cryptosporidium, I suspect that over time, cryptocurrencies will likewise result in many upset stomachs. Cryptocurrency seems built on the need for secrecy. But when it comes to finances, I prefer transparency and clear transactions, even if I must pay the frictional costs of security and oversight. I recommend that water professionals keep Cryptosporidium in mind and avoid cryptocurrency until its benefits to the water industry become clear, although it wouldn't surprise me if a water utility already accepts crypto as payment for killing Crypto. All that said, I never saw the appeal of Facebook, and Bitcoin is trading today at an all-time high, so what do I know? This month's Journal AWWA is chock-full of real lessons water professionals can use, with topics such as water system consolidation, data management, source water monitoring, and water loss control. If you're interested in submitting an article for consideration, contact me at [email protected].

Sea Level Rise poses a substantial concern to communities worldwide. Increased inundation, storm surge, salt water intrusion, and other impacts create challenges which will require considerable planning to address. Recognizing the broad and differing scope of sea level rise issues and the variability of policy options to address them, local planning frameworks are necessary in addition to tools and resources available from state and federal governments. To help assess priorities and preferences on sea level rise planning, a survey of 503 persons affiliated with coastal communities on the East Coast of the United States was conducted in December 2017. This survey studied key aspects locally-driven sea level rise plans, including planning priorities, funding options, methods to resolve conflict, and potential responses. Six key findings address these and other concerns to provide the foundation of a locally driven framework for public officials.

The water industry has seen many types of academic surveys and studies on water main replacement programs and the benefits of asset management and prioritization. However, many utilities have not historically tracked all of the elements of water main break data. One factor used to quantify the occurrences of failing underground pipe networks is water main break rates. Water main break rates are calculated for all pipe materials used in water delivery to create a measurement to judge pipe performance and durability. Water main break rates can vary year to year and by utility. However, in aggregate, break rates produce a compelling story which can aid our prudent decision making as it relates to repairing and replacing our underground pipes. In April 2012, Utah State University published an initial comprehensive survey of water utilities. This was a survey of water main breaks and operating characteristics at utilities located in U.S. and Canada. Six years later in 2018, a new water main break study was released reviewing the national metric for citizens served per one mile of pipe, aggregate data on pipe material break rates, the analysis of age and corrosion in failure modes, and related observations on pressure, delivery volumes, effects of soil corrosivity, and trenchless technology practices. This paper reviews the newest water main break study metrics and findings and outlines various trends and projections of water main breaks in the U.S. and Canada which can be used to benchmark an organization's water main breaks and use this critical data in asset management plans.

Media reports in 2016 brought lead contamination of drinking water to public attention, particularly at schools where young students can be exposed to lead by drinking at contaminated outlets. In an effort to assess nationwide progress on addressing this potential health risk, this study sought to determine the status of lead testing, remediation, and long‐term management strategies in public school districts serving the nation's 15 most populous urbanized areas. Data were collected from publicly available information and through direct interaction with school districts. All districts under consideration have implemented some form of US Environmental Protection Agency‐recommended lead testing program, and districts with elevated lead levels have performed corrective actions including flushing, outlet repairs/replacement, and filtration. This study outlines districts' testing programs, approaches to lead‐management, plans for continued monitoring, communication strategies, and self‐assessed successes and challenges.