Development and implementation of analytical methods
and on-line sensors (Contact: Hans-Jørgen Albrechtsen, Erik Arvin and Charlotte B. Corfitzen)
Choosing the proper analytical methods for studies of drinking water quality may be a difficult task, since the values of interest often are near the detection limit of many methods. Research aims at improving, developing and implementing methods for studies of water quality. This includes methods for determination of biostability of the drinking water (e.g. Assimilable Organic Carbon, AOC), rapid-methods for monitoring biofilm (e.g. ATP) and molecular methods for characterization of biofilms. A European standard for testing for release of organic compounds which support microbial growth is under development for use on construction products in contact with drinking water. Furthermore, on-line monitoring is strongly needed for control and management of water quality and new sensors are developed and existing sensors (e.g. electrical conductivity and turbidity) are evaluated. Currently, an on-line sensor based on fluorescence technology is studied.
Integrated evaluation of the effect of desalination in water supply (Contact: Erik Arvin)
Introduction of desalination in water supplies may lead to considerations of what is the optimum water quality of the water supplied to the consumers. Removal of minerals during the desalination and re-introduction of some of the minerals after desalination has a range of consequences in relation to health, corrosion of pipes and machines, the applicability of the water (staining from chalk and iron, etc. ), taste of the water, and desalination also indirectly affects the water resource and energy consumption. The current project has adopted an integrated approach that takes all the consequences of desalination into consideration and expresses them in terms of economy. Uncertainties are high and they are also estimated.
Pesticides (Contact: Hans-Jørgen Albrechtsen)
Pesticides is one of the major groups of organic micropollutants of the groundwater based drinking water sources. This deterioration of the water quality is generally due to diffuse sources and low concentrations which exclude most other remediation actions than treatment at the water works. However, considering the long residence times of the groundwater in the aquifer, an understanding of degradation and sorption processes is important for estimating the self purification of the aquifers, which can be important for the abstraction strategies and construction of well fields. Based on these insights development of smart barriers in the well field and in the boreholes is explored.
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