Potable water systems use various disinfectants, such as chlorine, to kill viruses and bacteria that otherwise exist in the source water. Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) are chemicals formed when disinfectants, largely chlorine, react with naturally occurring organic matter in the water. 

One type of DBP is trihalomethanes (THM), which represents a group of volatile organic compounds formed by the interaction of organic material in raw source water and free chlorine added for disinfection. The four most common forms of THM are chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform. These THMs are Cancer Group B carcinogens (shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals). Trichloromethane (chloroform) is by far the most common in most water systems and Dibromochloromethane is the most serious cancer risk. Current regulations limit the concentration of these four chemicals added together (total trihalomethane or TTHM levels) to 80 ug/L or .08 mg/L. 

Removal of TTHM is often done through air stripping or aeration, which is the process by which water is infused with air to remove volatile compounds like THM. This is a natural technique of keeping water fresh and safe and may be observed in a waterfall or river. 

The Aqua-Jet can help municipalities comply with the 80 μg/l locational running annual average limit specified in the U.S. EPA Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule through air stripping. 

The Aqua-Jet aerator has been approved by UL to meet ANSI/NSF Standard 61 requirements for use in potable water applications. The approval includes multiple sizes designated as model SS-PW and can be utilized for TTHM stripping applications or circulation in potable water treatment systems and reservoirs with a minimum volume of 100,000 gallons. The Aqua-Jet aerator model SS-PW offers a low-cost aeration solution for TTHM stripping applications from the perspective of capital, installation and operating cost.

There are approximately 80,000 installed Aqua-Aerobic Systems Aqua-Jet surface mechanical aerators representing over 1.5 million connected horsepower and nearly nine billion hours of operation. 

Aqua-Aerobic Systems offers a complete line of cost-effective mixing and aeration equipment for both the potable and wastewater market. Our solutions mix and aerate tanks of any size or shape. For more information, visit www.aqua-aerobic.com.