Seasonal Changes of NDMA Formation Potential and its Removal During Water Treatment [Project #4444]

Considering their health effects and potential future regulations, it is critical to understand the formation and control of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in source waters and drinking water treatment plants (WTPs), and to develop strategies for the removal of its precursors. Furthermore, the impacts of various temporal and climatic events (e.g., drought periods, run offs or major rains, algae growth/die off, seasonal changes, and lake turnovers) on the occurrence of NDMA precursors in source waters and its removal across drinking water treatment plants need to be better understood. Prior to this project, only a few studies have been performed with limited focus and sampling events on the temporal variations of NDMA and other nitrosamine precursors in natural waters and treatability during water treatment. Furthermore, there are still research needs to examine the efficacy of activated carbon adsorption and oxidation processes on the NDMA precursor control.