Effective management solutions for biogenic odour in drinking water

Biogenic taste and odour in drinking water has become a global concern for water utilities, as eutrophication and climate change are increasing the likelihood of algal blooms and other microbial events in waterbodies. Unpleasant taste and odour perceived by consumers may result in complaints and undermine trust in water utilities, even when the water is safe. Microbially-produced taste and odour compounds can be generated in source waters, drinking water treatment plants, and drinking water distribution systems. There are limited tools to identify, track and manage odour issues from source water, through treatment processes and to consumers. This thesis provides an overview and addresses key research gaps in biogenic taste and odour, including the abiotic risk factors in source waters, effectiveness of existing treatment barriers, and the impacts of odorants on consumers. To address odour issues in real drinking water systems, source-to-tap historical data analysis was used to identify the odour risks in a system fed by blended source waters. Targeted analyses on chemicals associated with frequently occurring odours and candidate odour-producing algae are recommended. To evaluate the effectiveness of conventional treatment processes, treatability of Fragilaria diatom isolates and raw water was analysed by jar tests. A meta-analysis of treatment options for odour issues at worldwide pilot and full-scale plants was used to provide practical solutions for water utilities to proactively control odour issues using existing monitoring programs and treatment units. The thesis has advanced our understanding of identification and treatability of biogenic odours in drinking water supplies (as opposed to regularly reported aesthetic issues derived from disinfection). It has identified the causes and treatment optimisation options for unusual odours that are not easily removed by traditional water treatment processes. It provides practical management solutions to water industry practitioners and is crucial to improving consumer confidence in water supplies.

Grantor dc:publisher

UNSW, Sydney

Year dc:date

2024

Author dc:creator

• Zhu, Jin ; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8975-2089

• Biogenic odour
• drinking water
• algae
• treatability
• anzsrc-for: 400513 Water resources engineering

Statement dc:rights

• open access
• CC BY 4.0
• free_to_read

Licence

• https://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2
• https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

https://doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/30440

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:unsworks.library.unsw.edu.au:1959.4/102865