1,4-Dioxane is a probable human carcinogen and a widespread contaminant in Long Island water supplies, with some of the nation’s highest concentrations detected (34 μg L-1). Analysis of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 data from the U.S. EPA revealed that 39 water districts/distribution areas in Long Island had detections of 1,4-dioxane greater than the EPA’s cancer risk guideline level of 0.35 μg L-1. Due to its high solubility, high boiling point and low vapor pressure, conventional water treatment processes do not remove 1,4-dioxane efficiently from drinking water. Advanced oxidation processes (AOP), techniques that involve the generation of hydroxyl radicals, have been shown to be very effective in oxidizing 1,4-dioxane in drinking water. Though AOP technology has been widely studied under laboratory conditions, very few reports are available that evaluate their performance on larger scales (pilot- and full-scale systems). Toward this end, the New York State Center for Clean Water Technology (NYSCCWT) is collaborating with NYS Department of Health and Long Island water utilities to install and test pilot-scale UV-based AOP treatment systems. Results from the pilot-testing provides an in-depth understanding of (i) system performance and optimum conditions, (ii) source water quality impacts, and (iii) by-product formation in treated waters and in distribution systems. In addition, work is ongoing to test laboratory-scale biological activated filter system coupled with AOP/UV process to enhance removal of 1,4-dioxane and any associated by-products. Specifically, biofilm-coated GAC columns were used to investigate (i) the removal of intermediates generated during AOP/UV process and other natural organic matters (NOM), and (ii) the effect of residual H2O2 from AOP/UV treatment processes on the performance of GAC system. This presentation will summarize results from this ongoing initiative, highlight challenges and research needs.

Laboratory and pilot-scale testing of alternative water treatment technologies for 1,4-dioxane-contaminated groundwater in Long Island, NY

256th National Meeting (2018)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.