Because of the large number of potential EDCs and PPCPs, it is impossible to list treatment effectiveness for all of them. Organic Contaminants For organic contaminants, data for conventional, activated carbon, membrane, and advanced oxidation treatments are valuable. Conventional treatment is valuable because of the large number of surface-water facilities that utilize it. Although conventional treatment is not expected to remove a wide variety of specific organics, the possibility exists that it could remove a specific compound, especially if it is highly charged, or is highly hydrophobic. Activated carbon , both in granular or powdered form, is often looked on for removing synthetic contaminants.
Activated carbon can remove hydrophobic contaminants from water streams very effectively.
It is not expected to remove hydrophillic contaminants, unless they can be biologically removed by the microbes colonizing the carbon surface. The greater the molecular size, or charge, the greater the rejection by the membrane. Advanced oxidation has the potential to breakdown organic molecules. Often, however, the breakdown products are unknown. Inorganic Contaminants For inorganic contaminants, information on conventional treatment, ion exchange, membranes, and corrosion control are valuable.