Challenges and opportunities for drinking water treatment residuals (DWTRs) in metal-rich areas: an integrated approach

Abstract

The physicochemistry and production rate of drinking water treatment residuals (DWTRs) depends on the raw water composition and the plant operational parameters. DWTRs usually contain Fe and/or Al oxyhydroxides, sand, clay, organic matter, and other compounds such as metal(oids), which are relevant in mining countries. This work proposes a simple approach to identify DWTRs reuse opportunities and threats, relevant for public policies in countries with diverse geochemical conditions. Raw water pollution indexes and compositions of DWTRs were estimated for Chile as a model case. About 23% of the raw drinking water sources had moderate or seriously contamination from high turbidity and metal(loid) pollution If the untapped reactivity of clean DWRTs was used to treat resources water in the same water company, the 73 and 64% of these companies would be able to treat water sources with As and Cu above the drinking water regulations, respectively. Integrating plant operational data and the hydrochemical characteristics of raw waters allows the prediction of DWTRs production, chemical composition, and reactivity, which is necessary to identify challenges and opportunities for DWTRs management.