APPLICATION OF MATHEMATICAL MODELS FOR PREDICTING THE TRIHALOMETHANES CONTENT IN DRINKING WATER IN THE CITY OF DIBRA, NORTH MACEDONIA

Bujar H. DURMISHI, Arbana DURMISHI, Valbona RAMADANI, Arianit A. REKA, Agim SHABANI

Abstract

Trihalomethanes (THMs) as the main disinfection byproducts created when chlorine reacts with the organic matter of the drinking water. THMs in high concentrations are harmful and can be carcinogenic for the liver, pancreas, nervous system, and development organs, whereas in women can cause miscarriage. Consequently, THMs must be constantly monitored. THMs mainly are determined by the gas chromatography method, which is a difficult procedure and very costly. To avoid this, in the past years, the use of mathematical models for the prediction of THMs in drinking water has been practiced. By fast measuring the values of some simple parameters of drinking water quality and replacing them in the mathematical models we can predict the THMs content. The aim of this article was the predict the THMs content in drinking water in the city of Debar for the spring of 2021 in four sampling points D1, D2, D3, and D4. The measured parameters were: water temperature, residual chlorine, pH, electrical conductivity, chemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solids, and chlorides. For prediction were used ten mathematical models and the average value of THMs with standard deviation was 23.88 ± 8.16 µg/L. From the results, we can conclude that the used models for THMs prediction have been successful and this content of THMs poses no risk to public health.

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