Survey and relevance of humic substances for drinking water production< Back

Project 1:
Survey and relevance of the input of humic substances for drinking water production

Abstract:
Since the beginning of the ninetieth decade of the last century an increasing input of humic substances (NOM = natural organic matter) in surface water bodies especially in the region of the mountains in central of Europe was obtained. This development seems to be connected with an increasing occurrence of taste and odour forming events.
As the results of this process the production of drinking water with high quality becomes more difficult and expensive. The reason is the increased expenditure for the removal of the organic matter, colour as well as the off flavour compounds. In addition to that, it has to consider that the amount of bioavailable natural organic matter (BNOM) in the water body increases.
The causal connection between the input of inorganic and organic nutrients and the occurrence of organoleptic pollutions of water can not be excluded.
In the frame work of the joint research project the reason for the occurrence of BNOM as well as its change has to be classified, quantified and assessed. The investigations are focused to the sources and the factors causing the mobilisation of NOM in the catchment areas as well as its distribution in the water body. An important aspect is the spatial and time pattern of NOM in the water body, and, based on that, the origin of BNOM and the relationship between BNOM and the occurrence of odorous and flavouring substances.
The objective of the joint research project is to design an imagination of a model concerning origin, behaviour and destination of BNOM in water reservoirs.