NOM Removal in Northern Europe
In Northern Europe, 90% of the population is served with treated surface or lake water. Because surface waters typically contain natural organic matter (NOM), a complex mixture of organic compounds (i.e. decomposing vegetative materials and animal matter) and color, this water must be treated to produce safe drinking water.
NOM removal from source waters is very important in drinking water treatment because it affects the color, taste and odor properties of water, contributes to disinfection byproduct formation, increases chlorine or disinfectant demand and affects biological regrowth in distribution systems.