Disinfection Byproducts and Water Quality Management

Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) arise when chemical disinfectants react with natural and anthropogenic organic matter, bromide or iodide in water sources. Common classes include trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), yet hundreds of lesser‐known compounds continue to emerge. While disinfection has dramatically reduced waterborne disease, DBPs present potential health risks ranging from cytotoxicity and genotoxicity to developmental and carcinogenic effects. The formation and speciation of DBPs depend on source water quality, precursor character, treatment conditions (pH, contact time, disinfectant dose) and distribution system hydraulics. Regulatory frameworks often focus on a limited set of regulated DBPs, leaving many unregulated species unmonitored. Advanced management strategies encompass precursor removal through coagulation, adsorption or membrane technologies; optimised disinfection schemes such as alternative disinfectants or sequential dosing; real‐time monitoring of surrogate parameters like UV254 absorbance; and predictive modelling of DBP formation potential. Integrating source protection with tailored treatment and distribution management is essential to balance microbial safety against chemical risks. Emerging approaches in solar detoxification, rapid hydrolysis and nanoadsorbent technologies promise both enhanced control of regulated DBPs and mitigation of novel compounds, supporting a holistic framework for safeguarding global water quality.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have identified a novel disinfectant derived from halo‐phenolic DBPs that combines potent antimicrobial efficacy with rapid environmental degradation. A specific dichlorobenzoquinone analogue demonstrated superior inactivation of bacteria, fungi and viruses compared with conventional phenolic disinfectants, yet underwent spontaneous hydrolysis in seawater without reliance on sunlight, reducing long‐term eco‐toxicity. This work signals a shift towards “self‐attenuating” disinfectants that address both biosecurity and sustainability. In parallel, optimisation of nanoadsorbent processes has been achieved via response surface methodology. Magnetic surfactant‐modified nanoparticles were engineered and characterised to maximise removal of THMs and natural organic matter, achieving more than 80 % reduction under optimised pH and contact time conditions. Statistical analysis confirmed model reliability, and risk assessment indicated marked decreases in estimated lifetime cancer risk, illustrating the practical value of combining advanced materials with data‐driven design for simultaneous DBP and precursor removal.

Disinfection Byproducts and Water Quality Management publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in disinfection byproducts and water quality management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Disinfection byproducts (DBPs): Chemical species formed when disinfectants react with organic or inorganic precursors in water.

Trihalomethanes (THMs): A regulated class of DBPs consisting of three halogen atoms bonded to methane, commonly formed during chlorination.

Haloacetic acids (HAAs): Carboxylic acids containing halogen atoms, another regulated DBP group associated with long-term health risks.

Natural organic matter (NOM): A heterogeneous mixture of organic compounds originating from the decay of plant and microbial biomass that acts as a primary DBP precursor.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive molecules derived from oxygen that can mediate oxidative damage in biological systems.

References

1. An effective and rapidly degradable disinfectant from disinfection byproducts. Nature Communications (2024).
2. Dihalogenated nitrophenols in drinking water: Prevalence, resistance to household treatment, and cardiotoxic impact on zebrafish embryo. Eco-Environment & Health (2024).
3. Chemical and Toxicological Characterization of Halobenzoquinones, an Emerging Class of Disinfection Byproducts. Chemical Research in Toxicology (2015).
4. THM and HAA formation from NOM in raw and treated surface waters. Water Research (2017).
5. Response surface methodological (RSM) approach for optimizing the removal of trihalomethanes (THMs) and its precursor’s by surfactant modified magnetic nanoadsorbents (sMNP) - An endeavor to diminish probable cancer risk. Scientific Reports (2019).