TY - GEN
T1 - Bromide & disinfection by-products
T2 - Air and Waste Management Association - Power Plant Pollutant Control "MEGA" Symposium, MEGA 2016
AU - Valcarce, Christine
AU - Sayavedra, Sebastian
AU - Gonzaga, Erica
AU - Rodriguez, Regina
AU - Mazyck, David
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - In the steam-electric industry, calcium and sodium bromide are commonly used as coal additives or in brominated sorbents for the control of mercury from flue gas. Due to the high solubility in water of these salts and the practice of recirculating WFGD water, bromide levels can accumulate in WFGD wastewater, creating a challenge for drinking water treatment plants downstream of the discharge. Although bromide itself is not toxic, the concern to downstream drinking water sources is the potential formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs). Conventional potable water treatment processes do not remove bromide, yet bromate, trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) form when bromide in the water reacts with organic matter during the disinfection process used in potable water treatment as a requirement to protect against microorganisms. Due due to the carcinogenic properties of DBPs, the EPA set maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for bromate, THMs and HAAs. EPA's final rule on effluent limitation guidelines (ELGs), promulgated on September 30th 2015, does not establish any limits for total dissolved solids (TDS) or bromide (component of TDS) from existing sources, but does establish TDS limits to new sources and those existing sources that choose the voluntary incentive program. While the EPA considered a numerical limit for TDS, the option was ultimately not preferred due to the cost of implementation for existing sources. However, Section 301(b)(1)(C) of the Clean Water Act requires permitting authorities to impose more stringent effluent limitation on discharges as necessary to meet applicable water quality standards. Therefore, the EPA recommends in its final rule of the ELGs that states' permitting authorities collaborate with potable water treatment plants to evaluate the need of a bromide, TDS or conductivity limit on a case by case basis and that the MCLs for DBPs in the Clean Water Act be used as a guidance in establishing numerical limits for utilities discharging upstream of drinking water treatment plants.
AB - In the steam-electric industry, calcium and sodium bromide are commonly used as coal additives or in brominated sorbents for the control of mercury from flue gas. Due to the high solubility in water of these salts and the practice of recirculating WFGD water, bromide levels can accumulate in WFGD wastewater, creating a challenge for drinking water treatment plants downstream of the discharge. Although bromide itself is not toxic, the concern to downstream drinking water sources is the potential formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs). Conventional potable water treatment processes do not remove bromide, yet bromate, trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) form when bromide in the water reacts with organic matter during the disinfection process used in potable water treatment as a requirement to protect against microorganisms. Due due to the carcinogenic properties of DBPs, the EPA set maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for bromate, THMs and HAAs. EPA's final rule on effluent limitation guidelines (ELGs), promulgated on September 30th 2015, does not establish any limits for total dissolved solids (TDS) or bromide (component of TDS) from existing sources, but does establish TDS limits to new sources and those existing sources that choose the voluntary incentive program. While the EPA considered a numerical limit for TDS, the option was ultimately not preferred due to the cost of implementation for existing sources. However, Section 301(b)(1)(C) of the Clean Water Act requires permitting authorities to impose more stringent effluent limitation on discharges as necessary to meet applicable water quality standards. Therefore, the EPA recommends in its final rule of the ELGs that states' permitting authorities collaborate with potable water treatment plants to evaluate the need of a bromide, TDS or conductivity limit on a case by case basis and that the MCLs for DBPs in the Clean Water Act be used as a guidance in establishing numerical limits for utilities discharging upstream of drinking water treatment plants.
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M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85020725895
T3 - Air and Waste Management Association - Power Plant Pollutant Control "MEGA" Symposium, MEGA 2016
SP - 723
EP - 735
BT - Air and Waste Management Association - Power Plant Pollutant Control "MEGA" Symposium, MEGA 2016
PB - Air and Waste Management Association
Y2 - 16 August 2016 through 18 August 2016
ER -