Is polyaluminium chloride safe for treatment of potable water for public supply

[msajankiran]

Water treatment systems across the Globe are using Polyaluminium Chloride as a floculant in water treatment system, for treatment and supply of potable water. Though there have been many advantages cited over the erstwhile ALUM but is it Safe. What kind of studies have been done to conclude that it is safe.

[ernielippert]

Aluminum has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease. I think it would be ill-advised to use any aluminum compound to treat a public water supply.

Regards,

Ernest Lippert

[jdulko]

Myth 4: Drinking out of aluminum cans or cooking in aluminum pots and pans can

lead to Alzheimer’s disease.

Reality: During the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum emerged as a
possible suspect in Alzheimer’s. This suspicion led to concern about exposure to
aluminum through everyday sources such as pots and pans, beverage cans, antacids
and antiperspirants. Since then, studies have failed to confirm any role for
aluminum in causing Alzheimer’s. Experts today focus on other areas of research,
and few believe that everyday sources of aluminum pose any threat.

The above clip is from www.alz.org , alzheimers asssociation

Polyaluminum chlorides if used properly can reduce the amount of soluble aluminum in drinking water.

Best Regards,

Jim Dulko

[jdulko · Accepted solution]

Polyaluminum chlorides and polyaluminum chlorosulfates are widely used across the world.  Hundreds of  municipalities have been using polyaluminum chlorides and chlorosulfates for over 2 decades. The American Water Works Association has done studies many years ago but since the products are in such wide use they have not done any concerning the safety of these products recenty. The key to determining water safety, is analyzing the water after treatment.  Criteria such as Total Organic Carbon(TOC), Aluminum,  heavy metals, and turbidity are widely used to evaluate water quality and safety. How you achieve water quality is not relevant unless you leave a residue or change the chemistry of the impurities in the water. Both alum and polyaluminum chloride form various forms of aluminum hydroxide polymers. Polyaluminum chlorides have a tendency to form more of an Al13 polymer which works more efficiently in removing impurities in water. Polyaluminum chlorides attach to impurities in the water and filtered out. Alum treated waters can contain higher levels of aluminum, turbidity and sulfate; polyaluminum chloride treated waters can contain higher levels of chloride and lower levels of  aluminum and turbidity. Since the salinity of drinking water varies widely, the impact of additional chloride is minimal compared to the salinity of different waters. There are studies about chloride to sulfate ratios in water concerning corrosion and leaching lead and copper.  These studies are based on the finished water and the method of teatment is not relevant.

Best Regards,

Jim Dulko