Which type of water treatment plant has a higher disinfection byproduct formation potential?

The selection of a softening plant as the type that has a higher disinfection byproduct formation potential is grounded in the processes typically involved in water softening, which often entails the use of chemicals that can contribute to the formation of these byproducts.

In a softening plant, lime or sodium carbonate may be added to remove hardness, which can also increase the levels of organic matter in the water. When disinfectants such as chlorine are applied to treat the water, they react with the organic materials present, leading to the formation of disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Therefore, the more organic material present due to the softening process, the higher the potential for these byproducts to form during subsequent disinfection treatment.

Other types of treatment plants have different characteristics. Surface water treatment plants are specifically designed to handle surface water, which tends to have higher natural organic matter levels. Conventional coagulation plants also treat surface water but include coagulation and sedimentation steps that can help reduce organic content before disinfection occurs. Well water treatment plants usually source from groundwater, which often has lower organic content and typically produces fewer disinfection byproducts since there are fewer materials for disinfectants to