AWWA JAW70992

Chloramine is typically viewed as a far superiordisinfectant to free chlorine in terms of bacterial controlbecause it persists longer in the distribution system.However, if nitrification is present, chloramine canquickly disappear and the remaining available ammoniacould stimulate the growth of pathogenic bacteriain home plumbing.It is not news that nitrification can acceleratechloramine decay, but some studies have raised suspicionsabout whether chloramines are as persistent asfree chlorine. Because of the potential health concernswith chloramine use, this study was conducted toexamine the relative stability and disinfection effectivenessof chlorine and chloramine in various plumbingmaterials both with and without nitrification present.Absent nitrification, chloramine was more stablethan chlorine. In the presence of nitrification, however,the relative stability of the disinfectants wasshown to depend on the relative rates of corrosionand nitrification. The authors advise utilities alreadyusing chloramines to routinely monitor disinfectantstability and nitrification in premise plumbing andimplement prevention strategies to stop the occurrenceof nitrification. Includes 42 references, tables, figures.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. 101 - No. 11

Published:

11/01/2009

Number of Pages:

12

File Size:

1 file , 750 KB