This comprehensive summary of micropollutants in raw water used for drinking water production discusses drinking water treatment processes and their contribution to micropollutant removal, and considers biological processes and bioaugmentation as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative.
In western societies, clean and safe drinking water is often taken for granted, but threats to drinking water resources should not be underestimated. Contamination of drinking water sources by anthropogenic chemicals is one threat that is particularly widespread in industrialised nations.
Recently, a significant amount of attention has been given to the occurrence of micropollutants in the urban water cycle. Micropollutants are bioactive and/or persistent chemicals originating from diverse sources that are frequently detected in water resources in the pg/L to μg/L range.
This review by a team of European researchers aims to critically evaluate the viability of biological treatment processes for removing micropollutants from drinking water resources.
First, the micropollutant problem is put into context by providing a comprehensive summary of the reported occurrence of micropollutants in raw water used directly for drinking water production, and in finished drinking water.
A critical discussion is then presented on conventional and advanced drinking water treatment processes and their contribution to micropollutant removal.
Finally, biological treatment and bioaugmentation is proposed as a potential targeted, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative to existing processes. This is accompanied by a critical examination of the technical limitations and scientific challenges that need to be addressed prior to implementation.
This review is intended to serve as a valuable source of data and literature for water utilities, water researchers, policy makers, and environmental consultants. It aims to open the door to meaningful discussion on the feasibility and application of biological treatment and bioaugmentation in drinking water treatment processes, to protect the public from exposure to micropollutants.
