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Maintaining quality without a disinfectant residual
Author(s) -
Kooij Dick,
Hein J.,
Lieverloo M.,
Schellart Jon,
Hiemstra Peter
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.1999.tb08568.x
Subject(s) - disinfectant , water quality , environmental science , contamination , residual , environmental engineering , waste management , environmental chemistry , pulp and paper industry , chemistry , ecology , biology , engineering , mathematics , organic chemistry , algorithm
Good engineering practices and biostable drinking water and materials help ensure the quality of Dutch drinking water during distribution without use of a disinfectant residual. Preservation of the microbial quality of drinking water during distribution is a main objective in water supply. Although a disinfectant residual reduces the concentration of suspended bacteria, it has only a limited effect on microorganisms in biofilms and sediments or on microbial contaminants. Furthermore, a disinfectant residual affects taste and odor and results in the presence of compounds with toxic properties. Maintenance of an effective residual throughout the distribution system is hampered by disinfectant decay caused by pipe materials and compounds present in the water. The Netherlands depends on good engineering practices in the distribution system to prevent microbial and chemical contamination. Regrowth can be limited by distributing biostable drinking water and applying biostable materials in contact with drinking water.