Biological activated carbon (BAC) and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are often used in conjunction during drinking water treatment for the removal of trace organic compounds that are not effectively removed during traditional treatment processes such as coagulation, flocculation and sand filtration. These trace organic compounds include toxic cyanobacterial metabolites such as saxitoxins and taste and odour (T&O) causing compounds like geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) which are produced by a number of bacterial species including cyanobacteria. At present, the Hamilton Drinking Water Treatment Plant (HDWTP) employs the use of BAC as part of the final stage of drinking water treatment for its municipal water supply. This article provides a general overview of the chemical and physical processes involved and a review of the current state of AOP technology
