Adapting drinking water treatment strategies to changing source water quality under the stress of climate impacts

Abstract

Over the last few decades, noticeable chemical and microbiological changes in water quality have been observed in Atlantic Canada lakes as a result of recovery from acidification and climatic drivers. This has multiple implications for drinking water treatment in unconventional plants (i.e. without sedimentation or flotation), in both the quality and quantity of drinking water produced, causing increased concentrations of disinfection by-products, the potential for algal toxins in drinking water, and plugging of unit processes. Two drinking water utilities that were built prior to the observed changes in source water quality are experiencing or anticipating the aforementioned consequences and immediate solutions are needed to mitigate the problem while more long-term sustainable designs are implemented. The objective of the presented research was to investigate both immediate strategies and potential longer-term solutions to adapt to long-term changes and seasonal fluctuations in lake water quality.