AWWA WQTC58976

Endocrine Disrupters Compounds (EDCs) and pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in source water are considered as important emerging issues in drinking water quality. Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) can alter the endocrine system of animals and have been linked to a number of adverse effects in both humans and wildlife. The Windsor Utilities Commission (WUC), Windsor, Ontario, Canada, has implemented ozone for drinking water treatment at the A.H. Weeks Water Treatment Plant in 2001 for the inactivation of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, and to improve water quality. Raw water source is the Detroit River, which links Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie. The Windsor Utilities Commission is investigating the effectiveness of ozone in degrading environmental compounds, such as trace organic compounds, mainly pesticides and pharmaceuticals. A new work group was formed including the Windsor Utilities Commission, the Great Lakes Institute (University of Windsor), Oakland University, supported by the International Joint Commission (IJC) and Health Canada to investigate the presence of these chemicals and the effect of conventional treatment and ozone treatment processes on the degradation of these compounds. The analysis indicated that there is a remarkable degradation of Atrazine (Herbicide) and Carbamzepine (Anti epileptic, Analgesic) using ozone, compared with conventional treatment processes. The study provides a unique and advanced level of information for water supply and treatment for the Great Lakes Region. The findings of this study, have shown that ozone treatment removes a wide range of contaminants from water. Includes 23 references, tables, figures.