American Water announced last month it has been awarded a research grant from the Water Research Foundation to investigate removal mechanisms of nitrosamine precursors during the filtration of drinking water.
The project, titled ?Impact of Filtration media type/age on Nitrosamine Precursors,? will focus on the role of biologically active filters for the removal of compounds that are precursors to the formation of nitrosamines. Nitrosamines are a group of carcinogenic compounds that can be formed during chloramine based disinfection of water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering inclusion of nitrosamines in future drinking water regulations.?
?This is a potential ?win-win? solution because biologically active filters do not need to be replaced on a frequent basis and they can produce better water quality,? explains Dr. Zia Bukhari, senior environmental scientist, American Water. ?If biofilters can be effective for removing nitrosamine precursors, this would result in safer water at a lower cost.?
The two-year research study will cost $387,460 with funding from both the Water Research Foundation and American Water, and will involve examining treatment filters at four locations.
For more information, go to www.WaterRF.org.
