The use of antiscalants (AS) in the treatment of drinking water by means of reverse osmosis (RO) or nanofiltration (NF) is common practice in Germany. Various technical products are used in the approx. 90 plants, generally based on phosphonic acid, but also phosphorus-free AS based on polyacrylic acids. The authorised antiscalants are specified in the § 20 list of the Drinking Water Ordinance. The predecessor project KonTriSol (BMBF/DVGW funding, project end 2023) identified acute problems with the use of AS in membrane filtration. Residual concentrations of antiscalants were found in permeates and drinking water from corresponding systems. Additionally, problematic substances might be formed in downstream processes such as disinfection or activated carbon filtration from the substances that enter the permeate.. In the case of P-free products, there are indications that the active ingredient content with a small molecular mass is ineffective or can cause biofouling. |