Inclusion of nanofiltration as a robust barrier against municipal effluent impacts in drinking water treatment
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Liu, Mengjie
Zhu, Baofeng
Wu, Chunjiang
Graham, Nigel JD
Yu, Wenzheng
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The growing prevalence of unplanned potable reuse presents significant challenges to drinking water safety. However, the adverse effects of effluent organic matter (EfOM) from upstream secondary effluents (EF) on downstream drinking water treatment efficiency remain poorly understood. To address this gap, this study has systematically evaluated the influence of varying EF proportions on feedwater properties through comprehensive dissolved organic matter (DOM) characterization. The results revealed the limited efficacy of conventional coagulation (C) in removing EfOM and confirmed the superior performance of coagulation-nanofiltration (Csingle bondNF) as a dual-barrier strategy. Molecular-scale analysis demonstrated complementary mechanisms, with coagulation preferentially removing aromatic, high-molecular-weight (MW) oxidized NOM, and nanofiltration targeting low-MW saturated EfOM. This process combination not only mitigates EfOM-induced water quality problems, but also enhanced operational sustainability by reducing membrane fouling. Furthermore, the Csingle bondNF process exhibited complete resilience to EF ratios below 30 %, maintaining THM formation potential, HAA formation potential, and toxicity levels comparable to or better than those of conventional treatment (coagulation) of EF-free feedwater. These findings confirm Csingle bondNF as a robust water treatment solution for utilities managing increasing wastewater contributions in source waters.
Date Issued
2026-01-15
Date Acceptance
2025-11-17
Citation
Water Research, 2026, 289 (Part B)
ISSN
0043-1354
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Journal / Book Title
Water Research
Volume
289
Issue
Part B
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Ltd. This is the author’s accepted manuscript made available under a CC-BY licence in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy)
License URL
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
125004
Date Publish Online
2025-11-19