AWWA WQTC63986

The detection of personal care products and pharmaceutically active compounds, including endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in source waters is elevating concerns about the removal of these compounds in drinking water treatment plants. This study examined water samples from 8 drinking water treatment plants (WTPs), for estrogenic activity using the Yeast Estrogen Screen. The samples were directly analyzed for whole water estrogenic activity, concentrated to examine low-level estrogenic activity, and partitioned between water and solids fractions to elucidate the solid/water fractioning of these compounds. Results were variable but showed that for the most part, estrogenic activity was associated only with the solid fraction of the raw waters, and could be expected to be removed with initial coagulation/flocculation and filtration treatment. Additionally, pre-ozonation was shown to remove estrogenic activity associated with solid particles in plants where this technology was utilized. Includes tables, figures.