Impact of source waters, disinfectants, seasons and treatment approaches on trihalomethanes in drinking water: A comparison based on the size of municipal systems

This study compares concentrations of trihalomethanes (THMs) in municipal water for 2001-2007 from the small and large systems in two provinces in Canada (Newfoundland and Quebec) based on source waters, disinfectants, seasons and treatment approaches. Approximately 71 and 94%, respectively, of the municipal systems in Quebec and Newfoundland are small systems (serving fewer than 3000 people). The small systems serve approximately 8.6% (0.57 million) and 44.1% (0.18 million) of the populations in Quebec and Newfoundland, respectively. Concentrations of THMs and its variability are much higher in the small systems (Quebec: 0-941μg/L; Newfoundland: 0-875μg/L) than in the systems with populations 10000 or more (Quebec: 0-364μg/L; Newfoundland: 2.3-205μg/L). The study reveals that the differences in THMs between the small and medium/large systems are because of different types of source waters, treatments, disinfection strategies and seasons. The results emphasize that regulatory agencies must focus more on the occurrence of DBPs in small systems and identify strategies to reduce their levels in drinking water.