Development of chlorine dioxide-related by-product models for drinking water treatment

Factorial experiments were conducted using source waters from seven drinking water treatment plants in Ontario, Canada to develop statistically based model equations capable of predicting chlorine dioxide consumption and chlorite and chlorate formation upon chlorine dioxide application. The equations address raw water quality and operational parameters including pH, temperature, chlorine dioxide concentration, reaction time and water organic content (as described by non-purgeable organic carbon×ultraviolet absorbance measured at 254 nm, NPOC×UV254). Terms describing two-factor interaction effects were also included, improving the accuracy of the predictive equations in fitting measured response concentrations as evaluated through internal and external validations. Nearly 80% of the predictions for chlorine dioxide consumption and chlorite formation were observed to be within 20% of the measured levels. Over 90% of the predicted chlorate levels were within ±0.1 mg/L of the measured levels. Chlorine dioxide concentration and NPOC×UV254 were key parameters when developing the predictive models.