Potable Water Treatment

Chlorine dioxide has been used in potable water treatment in the United States for more than 70 years. One of its earliest applications was near Niagara Falls, New York, where it helped remove phenols without producing noxious chlorophenols. Today, chlorine dioxide remains an effective oxidizer for addressing several common challenges in drinking water treatment.

How Chlorine Dioxide Supports Potable Water Treatment

Chlorine dioxide can be used as part of a treatment strategy to improve water quality and support downstream disinfection. In potable water systems, it is commonly used for:

• Preliminary oxidation: Helps reduce the formation of chlorinated hydrocarbons, including trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), during chlorination.
• Manganese and iron oxidation: Oxidizes dissolved manganese and iron into insoluble forms that can be removed from the water.
• Controlling color and odor: Helps water quality caused by naturally occurring compounds.

Reducing Disinfection Byproduct Formation

When chlorine is used in potable water treatment, certain reactions can lead to the formation of disinfection byproducts such as THMs and HAAs. Chlorine dioxide can be used for preliminary oxidation to help reduce the formation of these chlorinated hydrocarbons during the chlorination process.

Removing Iron And Manganese

Dissolved iron and manganese can create operational and aesthetic water quality challenges. Chlorine dioxide oxidizes these metals into insoluble forms, making them easier to remove through treatment processes.

For manganese, chlorine dioxide offers a practical advantage: it oxidizes manganese to an insoluble state without continuing the reaction all the way to soluble permanganate.

Contact CDG

To learn more about potable water treatment with chlorine dioxide, contact CDG today.