AWWA WQTC69231

In the course of constructing new sanitation facilities for a remote Alaskan community, problems were noted with the Inmatchuk River water source that indicated the potential of forming disinfection byproducts (DBPs). In the course of the investigation, it was discovered that the river was also a significant salmon spawning river in the area. Based on this, work was undertaken to determine the impact of the returning salmon on the organic content of the water, and to determine if this source of organic material was impacting the DBP problem. Results of this study showed that the impact of the returning salmon caused the organic content of the water to more than double. In addition, the products from the decay of the fish had a significant impact on DBP formation, particularly haloacetic acids. The study results indicate that, for this organic source, protein levels in the water provided a better correlation to DBP formation than either DOC or SUVA. Results also show that the products from salmon decay reduce SUVA while increasing DBP formation potential. Includes 20 references, tables, figures.