5. Conclusions
This study developed models for predicting THMs and HAAs
changes from the WDS to the PP and HWT. Three different
municipal water systems having different source water
characteristics and DBPs formation potentials were considered.
Linear models were found to show better performance in
predicting DBPs changes in the PP and HWT than the non
linear models. Incorporation of interaction effects of parameters
improved model performance significantly in some
cases, indicating that better understanding on the interaction
effects might be necessary. The modeling systems may be
useful in identifying strategies to improve water treatment
and disinfection processes, implementing epidemiological
correlation analysis (between health outcomes and DBPs in
water) considering the point of exposure and establishing
regulatory guidelines for DBPs. A future study incorporating
more data, data variability and indoor handlings of municipal
water might provide a better understanding of DBPs formation
in the PP and HWT and their risks to humans.