A paradigm-shift in water treatment: in-reservoir UV-LED-driven TiO2 photocatalysis for the removal of cyanobacteria: a mesocosm study.

Potentially harmful cyanobacteria challenge potable water treatment globally, with high biomass events, and dissolved toxic and nuisance metabolites. Retrofitting existing water treatment infrastructure is often impractical (if not impossible) and often prohibitively expensive. In a paradigm-shifting move, we propose in-reservoir pre-treatment of cyanobacteria-contaminated raw waters to ease the burden on existing water treatment infrastructure. In an iterative design approach over three years, treatment modules have been designed, refined and optimised, in bench and pilot-scale studies for in-reservoir deployment. TiO2-coated beads made from recycled glass are employed in conjunction with UV-light emitting diodes (LEDs), to create highly reactive hydroxyl radicals that preferably remove cyanobacteria and subsequently released cyanotoxins from raw water. In a mesocosm study using a drinking water reservoir in Brazil, water quality parameters were markedly improved within 72h of deployment and cyanobacterial presence was decreased by over 90% without affecting other phytoplankton communities. The treatment system is virtually plastic-free, low cost, utilises recycled materials and could ultimately be powered by renewable energies, thus providing a true green treatment option. We have conclusively demonstrated that a paradigm-shift towards in-reservoir treatment is not only possible but feasible and can provide a valuable addition to conventional water treatment methods