Drinking water reservoirs
Public expectation of their drinking water reservoirs are that they are free from:
- Taste and odor issues,
- Toxin-producing algae,
- Harmful algal blooms,
- And invasive aquatic species.
Algae in drinking water supply causes discoloration, foul odors, unpleasant tastes and clogged filters.
The quality of drinking water reservoirs is often negatively affected by fluctuating water levels, fluctuating water temperatures, stagnation, as well as nutrient influxes from non-point source pollution (i.e. fertilizer or agricultural runoff).
Aquatic algaecides are a fast-acting, cost-effective way to manage cyanobacteria and algae in drinking water.
What are the treatment options for algae in drinking water?
- Treatment for algal control within the reservoir itself is often the most economical and effective means of eliminating algae.
- Shortened filter runs requiring frequent backwashes reduce the efficiency of water treatment plants, thus raising the cost of water to the consumer.
- Chlorinating to remove algae is costly, as is carbon filtration to remove unpleasant tastes and odors. In addition, there is evidence that the reaction of chlorine with algae can form trihalomethanes, suspected carcinogens.
Westrick, J. A. and Szlag, D. (2018), A Cyanotoxin Primer for Drinking Water Professionals. J Am Water Works Assoc, 110: E1-E16. doi:10.1002/awwa.1088
