Emerging contaminants in drinking water are a critical issue facing public health in the United States, including disinfection byproducts, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, corrosion products, pathogens and particulates. The ERC has a major thrust area in developing information and solutions to issues facing Missouri (e.g., see list of publications for Dr. C. Adams below). This research has a significant impact on the health and economy of Missourians due to the significant and varied number of contaminants and regulatory violations facing Missouri.

                                                                                            Current Projects in the ERC:

Drs. Adams/Ma research groups are conducting a comprehensive study of the formation of disinfection byproducts from pesticides in drinking water. The study includes seven oxidants and 80 pesticides. It will provide the industry with both general information as to which disinfectants and pesticides are leading to disinfection byproducts in drinking water, as well as detailed information on their byproducts and the fate of the eight most critical pesticides. (Sponsor: AwwaRF)

• The Adams/Ludlow research group is investigating the optimization of the use of activated carbon to remove pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupting compounds from drinking water. This work includes how integration of activated carbon and ozonation technologies can be integrated for optimal treatment effectiveness. (Sponsor: MDNR)
  
  
• Dr. Adams research group conducted technology evaluation and validation of enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA) tests for endocrine-disrupting chloro-s-triazines for AWWA regulatory affairs and the USEPA. These tests demonstrated that the EPA-approved test (marketed by Beacon, as well as two others) can be inaccurate in many drinking waters, which resulted in the EPA removing its approval for the test, and reconsideration of the appropriateness of the use of ELISA for regulatory monitoring. (Sponsor: AWWA, AWWARF) (see Adams et al., 2004; Jiang et al., 2006)
  
  
• The Adams research group, conducted with McGuire/Malcolm Pirney, conducted a two-year study addressing analytical methods development and a nationwide occurrence study for total chloro-s-triazines which are proposed to be regulated as a group based on their endocrine disruption effects. Additional study on the treatability of chloro-s-triazines as a class at full-scale was assessed (Sponsors: AWWA, AWWARF, MDNR) (See Graziano et al., 2006; Jiang et al., 2006; Jiang and Adams, 2006; Jiang et al., 2004.)
  
  
• The Adams research group conducted two comprehensive analyses of the occurrence of carcinogenic disinfection byproducts (i.e., trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids) in Missouri drinking waters. These studies showed that for the period 1997-2001 approximately half of the water utilities in Missouri were exceeding the regulatory limits for both THMs and HAAs. From 2001-2005, significant progress toward compliance has been achieved, though many plants still are out of compliance. Furthermore, these studies show that each of the methods used to reduce THMs and HAAs are ineffective in many situations and the solution to disinfection byproduct control must lie in an integrated treatment approach. (Sponsor: MDNR) (See Adams et al., 2005; Adams and Timmons, 2006.)
  
  
• The Adams research group is examining how Missouri water utilities can best remove algal toxins (toxic byproducts of algae) in drinking water treatment plants. Additionally, the group is studying how conventional drinking water treatment may actually increase the concentrations of these emerging contaminants. (Sponsor: MDNR)
  
  
• The Adams research group is developing computer models to simulate the treatment of pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupting chemicals in drinking water and wastewater using oxidative, sorptive and other processes. These models allow the prediction and optimization of the control of these compounds in treatment processes (Sponsor: MDNR) (See Qiang and Adams, 2004a and 2004b; Qiang et al., 2004; Adams, 2006.)
  
  
• The Adams research group has performed treatment process evaluations and optimization for the treatment of fuel oxygenates contaminating groundwater and drinking water supplies in Missouri. This Missouri-based field- and lab-study was aimed at assisting local governments and professionals to determine the most economical means to remove MTBE and other emerging oxygenates (e.g., DIPE, TAME, ETBE, etc.) from drinking waters supplies and groundwater. (Sponsor: MDNR and Missouri Petroleum Storage Tank Insurance Fund) (See Sutherland et al., 2004; Yu et al., 2005; Sutherland et al., 2005.)