Determination of volatile chlorination by-products in drinking water in Greece

This study investigated the concentration of volatile chlorination by-products in two drinking water sources in Greece. The first one was underground water supplied after chlorination to the city of Chania, while the other one came from a surface water reservoir after treatment and chlorination. Measurement of trihalomethanes, as well as trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene, took place in water samples right after chlorination and from the didtribution network. Two methods of sample treatment were employed: Liquid-liquid extraction and puree-and-trap. The latter method proved to be much more sensitive than the former. The concentrations of the above substances were found well below the suggested EU guidelines. In general, the concentration of the chlorination by-products was higher in the distribution network as a result of the extended reaction between the chlorine and the precursors of the chlorination by-products.