AWWA JAW26620

A study evaluated the effectiveness and cost of removing trace organic contaminants and surrogates from drinking water by granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption. The effect of multiple reactivations of spent GAC was also evaluated. Results indicated that reactivated GAC effluent was essentially equivalent to that of virgin GAC when total organic carbon or total organic halides were evaluated. Although low levels of some reactivation by-products were observed, the maximum associated risk level was only 3 in 1,000,000,000. A capital investment of approximately $2.2 million (in 1983 dollars) was required for design and construction of the 3-mgd GAC adsorption and reactivation facility. The operations and maintenance cost for this facility was projected to be approximately $0.14/1,000 gal for a 20-min empty bed contact time and a three-month reactivation cycle. Includes 6 references, tables, figures.