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. 2021 May 20:770:145356.
doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145356. Epub 2021 Jan 23.

Optimizing disinfectant residual dosage in engineered water systems to minimize the overall health risks of opportunistic pathogens and disinfection by-products

Chiqian Zhang  1 , Jingrang Lu  2
Affiliations

Optimizing disinfectant residual dosage in engineered water systems to minimize the overall health risks of opportunistic pathogens and disinfection by-products

Chiqian Zhang et al. Sci Total Environ. .

Abstract

This Discussion argues that municipal water utilities may need to consider the health risks of both opportunistic pathogens (OPs) and disinfection by-products (DBPs) while selecting disinfectant residual dosages or levels in engineered water systems. OPs are natural inhabitants in municipal water systems and the leading cause of drinking-water-related disease outbreaks threatening public health. DBPs in water systems are genotoxic/carcinogenic and also significantly affect public health. Disinfectant residuals (such as free chlorine and chloramine residuals) dictate OP (re)growth and DBP formation in engineered water systems. Therefore, regulating the dosages or levels of disinfectant residuals is effective in controlling OP (re)growth and DBP formation. Existing effects assessing optimal disinfectant residual dosages focus solely on minimizing OP (re)growth or solely on DBP formation. However, selecting disinfectant residual dosages aiming to solely limit the formation of DBPs might compromise OP (re)growth control, and vice versa. An optimal disinfectant residual level for DBP formation control or OP (re)growth control might not be optimal for minimizing the overall or combined health effects of OPs and DBPs in drinking water. To better protect public health, water authorities may need to update the current residual disinfection practice and maintain disinfectant residuals in engineered water systems at an optimal level to minimize the overall health risks of OPs and DBPs.

Keywords: Distribution systems; Drinking water; Precursors; Premise plumbing; Public health; Regrowth.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no actual or potential competing financial interest.

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