Trihalomethane Precursor and Total Organic Carbon Removal by Conventional Treatment and Carbon

Data from four water-treatment plants were used to describe the performance of conventional treatment and granular activated carbon for removing trihalomethane precursors to meet various treatment goals. Also presented are data for total organic carbon removal, which has been suggested as an organic surrogate for measuring the effectiveness of water treatment. Conventional treatment, as used in the four water-treatment plants evaluated, substantially reduced total organic carbon and trihalomethane precursor concentrations. Granular activated carbon may be a treatment alternative to consider for meeting trihalomethane standards as low as 50 µg/L.