Removal technology for pesticide contaminants in potable water

Granular activated carbon adsorption is one of the reliable and effective means of removing organochlorine pesticides from water. Continuous stirred tank and fix bed reactor systems were used for the screening of indigenous granular activated carbons in the removal of organochlorine pesticides from water at low microgram levels in simulated samples. The carbon dose required to treat raw water at initial concentrations of 5-10 ug/l of Y-HCH, p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE to <2 ug/l potable level was computed. Data leads to the development of a tap attachable water treatment unit for pesticides removal for applications on domestic scale.