Effects of a new water disinfection technology on water quality

Abstract

The article assesses the effects of use of ultraviolet radiation and electrolytically generated sodium hypochlorite on the quality of drinking water produced at “Raba” plant of the Municipal Water and Sewerage Company in Cracow as well as in the water supply network. The analysis included selected microbiological indicators, total organic carbon, water chlorination products from the group of trihalomethanes and free chlorine. The research conducted indicated that disinfectant change caused quantitative changes in THMs and free chlorine in water supplied to the water supply network. After an upgrade of the chlorination plant in 2014, an increase in water disinfection by-products at most of the tested points of the water supply network was observed. A sudden decrease in free chlorine in the distribution system was also observed in that period, whereas a bacteriological water analysis confirmed the effectiveness of use of the new water disinfection technology.