Chlorine-based disinfection for drinking water treatment
(DWT)
was one of the 20th century’s great public health achievements,
as it substantially reduced the risk of acute microbial waterborne
disease. However, today’s chlorinated drinking water is not
unambiguously safe; trace levels of regulated and unregulated disinfection
byproducts (DBPs), and other known, unknown, and emerging contaminants
(KUECs), present chronic risks that make them essential removal targets.
Because conventional chemical-based DWT processes do little to remove
DBPs or KUECs, alternative approaches are needed to minimize risks
by removing DBP precursors and KUECs that are ubiquitous in water
supplies. We present the “Minus Approach” as a toolbox
of practices and technologies to mitigate KUECs and DBPs without compromising
microbiological safety. The Minus Approach reduces problem-causing
chemical addition treatment (i.e., the conventional “Plus Approach”)
by producing biologically stable water containing pathogens at levels
having negligible human health risk and substantially lower concentrations
of KUECs and DBPs. Aside from ozonation, the Minus Approach avoids
primary chemical-based coagulants, disinfectants, and advanced oxidation
processes. The Minus Approach focuses on bank filtration, biofiltration,
adsorption, and membranes to biologically and physically remove DBP
precursors, KUECs, and pathogens; consequently, water purveyors can
use ultraviolet light at key locations in conjunction with smaller
dosages of secondary chemical disinfectants to minimize microbial
regrowth in distribution systems. We describe how the Minus Approach
contrasts with the conventional Plus Approach, integrates with artificial
intelligence, and can ultimately improve the sustainability performance
of water treatment. Finally, we consider barriers to adoption of the
Minus Approach.