Methods for Measuring Toxins in Finished Waters

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Background, Relevance and Research Approach

Three major problems limit the use of screening bioassays for toxicity detection in finished drinking water:

• Interference from other substances in finished water such as disinfectants (chlorine in particular), DBPs, various metals such as aluminium, iron, copper.
• Sensitivity to the low contaminant levels that are of concern in finished waters (i.e. around drinking water guideline levels);
• Turn-around times that are too slow to allow real time management of water supplies.
• This project examined ways of overcoming these potential problems.