Organic substances are composed of two basic elements, carbon and hydrogen, and are often responsible for taste, odor, and color problems in groundwaters.  As such, treatment is used generally to improve aesthetically objectional water.

Sources of organic compounds (VOC’s, taste & odor compounds, disinfection byproducts, and free chlorine) found in groundwaters may include leaking underground gasoline/storage tanks, agricultural runoff containing herbicides or pesticides, solid waste or hazardous waste landfills, and improperly disposed industrial/chemical waste.

The ability of organic compounds to cause health effects varies greatly from those that are highly toxic, to those with no known health effect. The extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed. Eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment are among the immediate symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some organics.

The technologies most suitable for organic contaminant removal in process waters are granular activated carbon (GAC) and aeration. 

GAC has been designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the best available technology (BAT) for organic chemical removal.  Activated carbon adsorption provides an effective and reliable treatment for removing organic contaminants and is suitable for treating a wide range of organics over a broad range of concentrations.  GAC filtration will also remove chlorine.

GAC filtration is recognized by the Water Quality Association as an acceptable method to maintain certain drinking water contaminants within the limits of the EPA National Drinking Water Standards.  Organics that are readily adsorbed by activated carbon include:  

• Aromatic solvents (benzene, toluene, nitrobenzenes)
• Chlorinated aromatics (PCBs, chlorobenzenes, chloroaphthalene)
• Phenol and chlorophenols
• Polynuclear aromatics (acenaphthene, benzopyrenes)
• Pesticides and herbicides (DDT, aldrin, chlordane, heptachlor)
• Chlorinated aliphatics (carbon tetrachloride, chloroalkyl ethers)

• High molecular weight hydrocarbons (dyes, gasoline, amines, humics)  

Various types of GAC are available for removing organics from water, however, the most frequently used carbon in the US. is coal-based carbon due to its hardness, adsorption capacity, and ease of availability. 

Siemens Water Technologies offers a wide range of activated carbon medias, adsorber systems and support services.  We feature Westates® activated carbon medias which are extensively quality checked at our State of California certified environmental and carbon testing laboratory. Siemens’ laboratory is fully equipped to provide complete quality control analyses using ASTM standard test methods in order to assure the consistent quality of all Westates® activated carbons.

Additionally, Siemens offers reactivated carbon services.  Carbon reactivated ends the responsibility of "chain of custody" of the waste producer and is considered a "green alternative" to traditional landfilling of spent carbons.  The reactivation process recycles spent carbons into new activated carbon materials that continue to provide excellent performance for many treatment applications.  Siemens Water Technologies has over 20 years of experience in carbon reactivation and operates three reactivation facilities in the US serving  both the East and West coasts for reactivation of spent carbon. 

Treatment Technologies for the Removal of Organic Chemicals from Groundwater

Aeration
Activated Carbon Adsorption