The present work aims at investigating the performance of ozonation and chlorination used in the pre-oxidation of water with high microalgae and cyanobacteria concentration to be submitted to downflow direct filtration followed by chlorine disinfection, and evaluating the quality of the water produced, especially with regard to phytoplankton removal, trihalomethane formation, and toxicological tests. The pilot scale tests carried outwith the pre-ozonation exhibited better results when compared to the results from the pre-chlorination tests. As to the trihalomethanes, for example, the application of pre-ozonation with 2 mgO3/L reduced in 50% the formation of these compounds whencompared to the application of pre-chlorination. The application of ozonation was shown to be an excellent alternative for pre-treating water with high concentration of microalgae and cyanobacteria when using the direct fi ltration technique for producing water that complies with the drinking water standards established by Portaria GM 518-25/03/2004 of the Brazilian Health Department (Ministério da Saúde).
Water treatment; direct fi ltration; pre-ozonation; cyanobacteria; trihalomethanes
