A new scientific publication from H2OforAll, a sister project of intoDBP, provides a comprehensive overview of the formation, detection and monitoring of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water.
Published as an open-access review, “Holistic overview on disinfection by-products formation and their analytical characterization” examines how DBPs are generated when disinfectants react with organic and inorganic substances naturally present in source waters.
Understanding these formation mechanisms is also a central topic for intoDBP, which investigates approaches to better predict, monitor and manage DBPs throughout drinking water treatment and distribution.
The review explores the role of key DBP precursors, including natural organic matter and anthropogenic organic compounds, and analyses how their chemical characteristics influence the formation of different DBPs during disinfection.
It also highlights several challenges affecting DBP monitoring. The large chemical diversity of these compounds, their often very low concentrations and limited stability can make detection and quantification particularly complex. Existing analytical methods may therefore struggle to keep pace with evolving regulatory and monitoring requirements.
Among the opportunities identified by the authors are the development of robust in-line sensing technologies, improved analytical approaches and cleaner water treatment and disinfection technologies.
By bringing together current scientific knowledge on DBP precursors, formation mechanisms, analytical techniques and regulation, the publication provides valuable insights for researchers, water utilities and practitioners working to improve drinking water safety.
The work complements the research carried out within intoDBP and reinforces the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange between European projects addressing emerging drinking water quality challenges.
Read the open-access publication.
