AWWA WQTC71663

As is common with many surface waters in the United States, Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) detects very low levels of pesticides and pharmaceuticals in the source water. In 2003, GCWW participated in an Atrazine Monitoring Program sponsored by AWWA and Water Industry Technical Action Fund. As one of 33 utilities, atrazine samples were collected and sent out for analysis weekly from source, sand filter effluent and finished water. An average biological removal of 12% was observed. The remaining atrazine was removed through granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption. Additionally, in 2007, GCWW participated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey by collecting samples of source water, sand filter effluent and finished water for the detection of pharmaceuticals. Unlike the other compounds, only minimal reduction was observed through biological removal. Excellent removal of all monitored compounds was achieved through GCWW's full-scale GAC. In fact, all monitored contaminants were below detection limits with the exception of caffeine, and it was removed to concentrations very near the detection limit. Includes tables, figures.