Project Grant 2418755

The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a 3-year, $229,589 Project Grant under the Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) to South Dakota State University (SDSU) starting January 1, 2025. The project aims to identify critical factors and strategies for minimizing the formation of disinfection byproducts, specifically aliphatic disinfection byproducts and halophenols, during the chlorination of drinking water. This will involve collecting and analyzing existing data using machine learning, as well as conducting focused experiments on the transformation of phenolic compounds to these byproducts. The research outcomes will provide guidance to water utilities on effective treatment methods to mitigate these undesirable disinfection byproducts and protect public health. The project will also support the training of graduate and undergraduate students at SDSU and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.