Model for Predicting Disinfection By-product (DBP) Formation and Occurrence in Intermittent Water Supply Systems: Palestine as a Case Study

A laboratory-scale experiment was conducted to investigate, evaluate, and model the formation and occurrence of disinfection by-product in Nablus water supply under various operating conditions including chlorine concentration, natural organic matter (as BOD), and incubation time of water in the distribution system. The incubation time is an important factor for Nablus water supply because of its intermittent nature. Houses and apartments in Nablus receive water once every two to three days. The results show that the extent of total trihalomethane (TTHM) formation depends not only on chlorine concentration in water but also on BOD contamination level, and the incubation period in pipes. Results were used to develop an empirical model for predicting TTHM as a function of Cl-2, BOD, and incubation period. The predictive capacity of the model was in high correlation with measured TTHM values. Results obtained and the predictive model developed provide water supply managers with TTHM prediction capability using the most important operating parameters of intermittent water supply systems.