AWWA ACE93165

The Erie County Water Authority (ECWA) initiated a taste and odor management study (TOMS) in April 1992. The purpose was to: establish water quality goals; create and implement a flavor-profile analysis (FPA) program; conduct bench-scale screening of promising conventional treatment strategies--powdered activated carbon and oxidants; conduct pilot plant evaluations of best conventional treatment strategies; implement short-term treatment modifications by August, 1992; conduct full-scale taste and odor monitoring; and make recommendations for long-term strategy for geosmin and MIB control. PAC was found best for short-term control, and GAC is being investigated as the best strategy for long-term control. This paper summarizes the results, with particular emphasis on pilot plant evaluations, and discuss the components of the current ECWA Taste and Odor Management Program (TOMP).