Changes in human activities associated with energy extraction (e.g., unconventional oil and gas) and utilization (e.g., coal-fired power plants) can alter source waters in ways that affect treatment choices, costs, and the quality of the finished water distributed for human consumption. Produced waters from oil and gas extraction, especially that associated with shale production, can be high in bromide and iodide.  Discharge of this halogen-enriched wastewater, even after partial treatment, can increase surface water concentrations of bromide and iodide. Similarly, coal-fired power plants can produce a bromide-containing wastewater whose concentration depends upon the concentration of bromide in the source coal, the addition of bromide for mercury control, and the use of pollution control devices such as wet flue-gas desulfurization units.  These new or increasing sources have the potential to change bromide loads in watersheds that are source waters for drinking water treatment plants.  Several areas of the country not traditionally associated with high bromide levels (including the Ohio River Basin) have been reporting increasing bromination of disinfection by-products.  The present study presents three years of data from the Monongahela River at five drinking water plants, encompassing source and finished water analysis under significantly changing loads associated with changes in management of oil and gas produced water and changes in operations at coal-fired power plants.

Role of fossil fuel energy extraction and utilization activities on bromide discharges and their effect on formation of disinfection by-products in downstream drinking water plants

248th National Meeting (2014)

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