Researchers at KU Leuven have identified the most effective water filtration membranes for removing organic micropollutants, such as pharmaceutical and pesticide residues, from drinking water, according to a study published in the journal Membranes. Their findings will assist water companies in making informed decisions to improve water purification processes and are part of a joint project with UGent.
Organic micropollutants (OMVs) are substances present in very small amounts in surface and drinking water, originating from pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and industry, and are difficult to remove through conventional water treatment methods. Europe aims to monitor and reduce their presence in drinking water with new guidelines.
Existing filtration systems for removing OMVs from drinking water often leave water purification companies uncertain about their effectiveness, explained Professor Ivo Vankelecom of KU Leuven’s Faculty of Bioscience Engineering.
To address this uncertainty, researchers tested 15 commercially available nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes. The four best membranes removed an average of 90% of OMVs from water without retaining essential salts, and they performed well in flowing water setups, too.
“This study demonstrates that it is possible to eliminate even hard-to-detect substances from drinking water using commercially available technology,” stated Professor Deirdre Cabooter from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at KU Leuven. “We provide scientifically supported options for water companies looking to enhance their purification methods.”
“The membranes used are commercially available, enabling rapid implementation in water purification facilities,” concluded Professor Raf De Wil, coordinator of the project from the Chemical Engineering Technology department.
