Penetration of Chemical Disinfectants into Particles Developed in Water Treatment: Impact on the Biological Quality of Post-Disinfected Water

Washington State University, Pullman WA

Investigators

Abstract

0072427 Loge The objective of this research is to develop a method of assessing the penetration of selected chemical disinfectants into particles developed during water treatment using scanning confocal laser microscopy. Findings from the experimental approach will be coupled with a mathematical model to generate a set of guidelines directly applicable to the water industry for assessing the biological quality of post-disinfected waters. This research is motivated by the desire to shift the focus from evaluating the survival of selected pathogens and indicator organisms as a measure of disinfection to a particle-based standard. With this approach, the dose of the applied disinfectant would be based on the frequency and distribution of particles in suspension. All particles greater than a critical particle size (defined as the smallest particle capable of shielding an associated organism from the applied disinfectant) would be treated as being equally capable of harboring one of more targeted organisms of interest. The dose would be modified to insure a specified level of penetration of the applied disinfectant. ***