Advanced Biological Filtration: A Multi-Barrier Approach To Complex Water And Wastewater Contaminant Removal

By Alex Bettinardi and Stanley Shmia

Introduction

Since Flint, Michigan, and other communities brought the issue of water safety to the headlines, even non-water professionals are familiar with common contaminants like lead and arsenic. But there remains some ambiguity around “emerging contaminants” that are now appearing in water supplies, particularly as regulations to mitigate them are under development with no clear guidelines yet available.

Emerging contaminants, or contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), include a variety of chemicals — including pharmaceuticals and personal care and household cleaning products. CECs enter the environment constantly, a result of the tens of thousands of chemical-based products people use every day.