What processes help to reduce EPA priority pollutants in water?

Lime coagulation and mixed media filtration are effective processes for reducing EPA priority pollutants in water, as they work together to remove a wide range of contaminants. Lime coagulation involves the addition of lime (calcium hydroxide) to the water, which raises the pH and causes heavy metals and other pollutants to precipitate out of solution. This process effectively reduces metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, which are often classified as priority pollutants due to their toxicity and persistence in the environment.

Mixed media filtration complements this process by utilizing different layers of materials, such as sand, gravel, and activated carbon, to capture suspended solids and additional contaminants. This combination not only enhances the removal of pollutants through physical filtration but also improves the overall quality of water. Together, these methods are particularly effective in treating industrial wastewater and municipal water supplies, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards established by the EPA.

Other methods, such as reverse osmosis, distillation, and sedimentation, have their roles in water treatment but may be more specific to certain types of contaminants or less effective for a broader range of priority pollutants compared to the combined approach of lime coagulation and mixed media filtration.