Optimisation of treatment in drinking water treatment plants to reduce algal growth and accumulation

In the last two decades, harmful algal blooms have increased in frequency and intensity across various water sources worldwide due to the escalation in nutrient loading, rising temperatures, and heightened carbon dioxide levels from global warming.

As a consequence, the overgrowth of algae in source water has led to water quality issues during treatment, including the release of toxins and T&O compounds, the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs), and frequent backwashes. 

The application of conventional oxidants has been widely employed to enhance the efficiency of algal-laden water treatment. Many of them were proven effective in inhibiting cyanobacterial cells and degrading toxins. Nevertheless, the complex nature of algal blooms, involving multiple microalgae species and organic matter, has hindered the comprehensive understanding of oxidant application.

Therefore, the primary objective of this project is to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of conventional chemical oxidants in controlling the growth and accumulation of common microalgae species, such as cyanobacteria, green algae, diatoms, and their mixtures, in both drinking water and wastewater contexts.

Additionally, the study seeks to investigate the release and degradation of algal organic matter resulting from oxidation, with the ultimate goal of comprehending and mitigating the adverse effects associated with harmful algal blooms.