Determination of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Fractions of Natural Organic Matter in Raw Water of Zahedan Water Treatment Plant

Background: Over the past two decades, increasing natural organic matter (NOM) concentration levels in water resources have been reported in many countries. The properties of NOM can vary with source and time (season). The considerable seasonal variability and the trend towards elevated NOM concentration levels impose challenges to the water industry and the water treatment facilities in terms of operational optimization and process control.Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations and fractional distributions of NOM in raw water entering a water treatment plant in Zahedan city and to measure the parameters DOC, UV254, SUVA, TOC, hydrophobic and hydrophilic fractions, and pH, which may lead to a better understanding of the impact of source water on water treatment.Patients and Methods: Representative water samples were collected monthly from October 2010 to May 2011 from the raw water entering the Zahedan watertreatment plant (from Chahnimeh water source in Zabol city). Samples were transported to the water and wastewater laboratory of the School of PublicHealth at the Zahedan University of Medical Sciences for analysis.Results: NOM in the examined sample exhibited highly humic nature, indicating a higher percentage of the hydrophobic fractions than the hydrophilic one in the total organic carbon. The annual average values of DOC, UV254, SUVA, and TOC were about 8 mg/L, 0.5 cm−1, 7 L/mg.m, and 9 mg/L, respectively.Conclusion: The concentration of NOM in raw water entering the drinking water treatment plant in Zahedan is high and its seasonal variation does not follow a particular pattern. The bulk of the organic material fractResults:ion in this water source is hydrophobic