AWWA MTC93054

The Irvine Ranch Water District is investigating use of a highly colored groundwater to reduce dependency on other sources. This study evaluated various treatments to remove both color and disinfection byproduct precursors. The productivity and constituent rejections characteristics of six membranes were determined. Membranes A and B demonstrated significantly greater specific productivity than the other membrane types. ALl the membranes were capable of treating the colored water to meet the established water quality goals with respect to the parameters reported. All the membranes rejected more than 90 percent of the organics in terms of color, UV absorbance, TOC, or 3-day THMFP. All the membranes produced water with TOC less than 1 mg/L, color at 3 units or less, and THMFP less than 27 mg/L. Rejection rates of the inorganic constituents for Membranes A were substantially lower than those of the other membranes; this could be advantageous with respect to membrane concentrate reuse or disposal as well as to posttreatment (stabilization) of the permeate.