Abstract
In this study, total organic carbon (TOC) and potassium permanganate ($KMnO_4$) demand were examined for raw and finished tap water and the range of $KMnO_4$ demand in drinking water was investigated. By analyzing the relationship between TOC and $KMnO_4$ demand, the applicability of TOC as a drinking water standard and its regulation level was proposed. The average $KMnO_4$ demand was 1.3 mg/L in 4,638 samples from finished drinking water, tap water and finished water from small facilities. $KMnO_4$ demand of 95% of samples was 2.9 mg/L which was 29% of the drinking water standard (10 mg/L). At 12 major drinking water treatment plants, the average $KMnO_4$ demand in July and August was 8.1 and 2.4 mg/L for raw and finished water, respectively. TOC in July and August was 2.0 and 1.15 mg/L for raw and finished water, respectively. The correlation coefficient between $KMnO_4$ demand and TOC was as high as 0.8 in both raw and finished water and $KMnO_4$ demand was twice of TOC in finished water. Because the correlation coefficient and ratio between $KMnO_4$ demand and TOC varied according to season and the characteristics of raw water, it would be difficult to establish TOC standard just from the ratio of $KMnO_4$ demand to TOC. However, it is possible to set the TOC range based on the accumulated $KMnO_4$ demand data or from the satisfactory correlation results. Then, it would be reasonable to establish TOC standard level as 4 ~ 5 mg/L.
