Ozone Treatment of Drinking Water Supplies

Healthy Drinking Waters for

M A S S A C H U S E T T S

S a f e a n d h e a l t h y l i v e s i n s a f e a n d h e a l t h y c o m m u n i t i e s

Eﬀective Against: pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms includ- ing bacteria and viruses, phenols (aromatic organic compounds), some color, taste and odor problems, iron and manganese, and turbidity.

Not Eﬀective Against: large cysts and some other large organisms, inorganic chemicals, and heavy metals.

How Ozone Treatment Works Ozone is a chemical form of pure oxygen. Like chlorine, ozone is a strong oxidizing agent or oxygen. "e ozone is mixed with the water and is used in much the same way – to kill dis- whenever the water pump is running. Ozone ease-causing bacteria and viruses. It is effec- generation units require a system to clean and tive against most amoebic cysts, and destroys remove the humidity from the air. "is system bacteria and aromatic organic compounds requires routine maintenance. An ozone treat- (also know as phenols). Ozone may not kill ment system can be very energy intensive. large cysts and some other large organisms, Ozone treatment can produce harmful so these should be eliminated by filtration or by-products in drinking water. For example, other procedures prior to ozone treatment. if bromide is present in the raw water, ozone Ozone is also effective in eliminating or reacts with it to form bromate, shown to controlling color, taste, and odor problems. It cause cancer in rats. "e U.S. Environmental oxidizes iron and manganese. Protection Agency (EPA) has set a drinking Ozone treatment units are installed as a water standard for bromate in water at 0.010 point-of-use treatment system. Raw water en- mg/L. For more information see the fact sheet ters one opening and treated water emerges entitled Drinking Water Standards. from another. Inside the treatment unit, "e major benefit of ozone treatment ozone is produced by an electrical corona is that it is effective as a disinfectant. In discharge or ultraviolet irradiation of dry air contrast to chlorine, ozone is active over a

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O z o n e T r e a t m e n t o f D r i n k i n g W a t e r S u p p l i e s

Consumers should inquire about the fol- Product Certification lowing before purchasing an ozone system: NSF International is a non-profit organization • Has the treatment system been tested that sets performance standards for water and certified by a third party to ensure treatment devices. Because companies can

that it meets manufacturer’s claims? make unsubstantiated statements regarding ut o

• Are there any special installation product eﬀectiveness, the consumer must enh a

requirements that may add to the evaluate test results of the device to deter- y M mm equipment cost, for instance changes mine if claims are realistic. Products that have o m/T o .c

to your household plumbing? been tested or evaluated by NSF and meet o t o h p

their minimum requirements are entitled to k c o

display the NSF listing mark on the products ©ist and in advertising literature for products. Manufacturers and models that meet NSF’s standard are included in a listing published twice a year. For more information contact NSF at: 800-NSF-MARK (800-673-6275) or o http://www.nsf.org/consumer/ an anz

3 Healthy Drinking Waters for Massachusetts

O z o n e T r e a t m e n t o f D r i n k i n g W a t e r S u p p l i e s

Resources

UMass Extension US Environmental Protection Agency "is fact sheet is one in a series on drinking For a complete list of primary and secondary water wells, testing, protection, common drinking water standards: contaminants, and home water treatment http://www.epa.gov/safewater methods available on-line at the University of Massachusetts website: MA Department of Conservation http://www.umass.edu/nrec/watershed_ and Recreation, Division of Water water_quality/watershed_online_docs.html Supply Protection and Cape Cod Cooperative Extension: Maintains listing of registered well 508-375-6699 drillers, information on well location and http://www.capecodextension.org construction: 617-626-1409 http://www.mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply/ MA Department of Environmental welldril/index.htm Protection, Division of Environmental Analysis NSF International Offers assistance, information on testing and "e NSF International has tested and certi- state certified laboratories: 617-292-5770 fied treatment systems since 1965. For For a listing of MassDEP certified private information on water treatment systems: laboratories in Massachusetts: 800-NSF-MARK (800-673-6275) http://www.mass.gov/dep/service/ http://www.nsf.org/consumer/ compliance/wespub02.htm Water Quality Association U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "e Water Quality Association is a not-for- New England Office profit international trade association repre- Information and education on where senting the household, commercial, indus- drinking water comes from; drinking water trial, and small community water treatment testing and national laws; and how to industry. For information on water quality prevent contamination: contaminants and treatment systems: http://www.epa.gov/ne/eco/drinkwater http://www.wqa.org

"is publication is adapted from a URI fact sheet by the same name produced by the Rhode Island Department of Health and the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension Water Quality Program. UMass Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer, United States Department of Agriculture cooperating. Contact your local Extension oﬃce for information on disability accommodations or the UMass Extension Director if you have complaints related to discrimination, 413-545-4800.

"is project was funded, in part, by a grant from US EPA. "is material is based upon work supported by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement No. 2004-51130-03108. 06/01/07