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Expanding urbanization, socioeconomic factors, and agricultural activities have led to contamination of the natural water resources in Iraq. The objective of this study was to assess the riverbank filtration (RBF) process in purifying the water of Al-Kufa River from pathogens. The riverbank filtration is a natural approach that helps in the enhancement of the quality of river water, and it is a relatively cost-effective, and sustainable process. This study utilized microbiological approaches to monitor the water quality of wells in comparison with river water. In Al-Kufa district of Al-Najaf governorate in Iraq, eight wells were constructed at different locations adjacent to Al-Kufa River. Total plate count, coliform count, fungal count, and fecal coliform count were among the microbiological parameters tested. The findings of the current study showed a difference in the pathogen count between the wells and river water, but the riverbank filtration process did not meet the World Health Organization guidelines. From this, we concluded that, if the pumping well is continuously running, RBF as a preliminary treatment of surface water would be a promising and potentially viable application in purifying water supply. Finally, in future RBF process is supposed to be taken into consideration to protect the security of water supply from waterborne pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater exploitation in a riparian zone causes water infiltration from the river into the aquifer. Owing to adsorption and redox reactions along the flow path, the quality of water flowing from the river to groundwater wells is variably altered. The riverbed composition often involves spatiotemporal differences due to frequent changes in hydrological conditions. These changes create uncertainties in the transport and removal of solutes in the river water. In this study, the hydrodynamic field associated with riparian groundwater, changes in the structure of riverbed sediments caused by erosion and deposition, fluctuations in surface water and groundwater levels, and the removal efficiency of pollutants from groundwater through pumping were investigated. This involved in situ monitoring and sample testing of the composition of the river water, riverbed sediments, riverbed pore water, and groundwater during dry and wet seasons. Implementation of field in situ column experiments and molecular biology evidences were conducive to identifying the main biogeochemical processes occurring in the riverbed. The findings indicated that riparian groundwater exploitation alters the natural groundwater flow field, while fine sand deposition and microbial adsorption can reduce river recharge to aquifers by diminishing riverbed hydraulic conductivity. Shallow sediments within 1 m depth mainly involve NO 3 − reduction and E. coli adsorption. Reductive dissolution of Mn dominates in the deeper sediments. Additionally, reductive dissolution of Fe and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) drive high Fe2+ and NH 4 + concentrations in groundwater. The findings can improve the management of riparian groundwater and aid in the optimization of a plan for its exploitation. [Display omitted] • More than 90% of nitrates and E.coli are removed within 1m of the riverbed. • Reduction dissolution of minerals increases iron and manganese levels in groundwater. • Nitrate reduction drives high concentrations of NH 4 + in riparian groundwater. • Iron, manganese and ammonium are potential risks for riverbank filtration systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riverbank filtration (RBF) is a natural technology that is used for river water treatment. This research seeks to investigate the effect of pumping rate on the transport of colloids in RBF. However, this work considered Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) as a nutrient for bacteria. The mathematical model consists of groundwater flow equation and colloids concentration equations. The equations were solved analytically using parameter expanding method and Eigen function expansion techniques. The results obtained are presented graphically and discussed. It was observed that increase in pumping rate value enhance both the hydraulic head and concentration of colloids which slightly reduces the quality of pumped water from RBF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In light of the direct entry of surface water by inundation during floods and extreme rainfall events into riverbank filtration (RBF) wells and the consequent risk of contamination, this study discusses the state of the art of sealing the borehole annulus and well headworks in some developing countries exemplified by northern India in context to established guidelines and standards. Accordingly a market survey was conducted and a concept was developed to construct watertight wellhead elements and a flood-proof well chamber. The concept was implemented through the fabrication of the major components of a watertight wellhead in India and the subsequent construction of watertight headworks and a flood-proof chamber for a RBF well in Srinagar (Uttarakhand, India). The study showed that water wells at risk of flooding in general can be made flood-proof. A novel concept of deliberately flooding the well chamber was tested and proved successful. Although the fabrication enterprises and suppliers of well construction material in India currently do not produce non-standardised or special purpose well components, experience from the current study shows that local small-medium enterprises engaged in the unorganized metal working sector possess the technical competence to fabricate some of the major components but in limited numbers. The familiarisation of water supply practitioners and the well construction industry in India on the need and measures to flood-proof wells must be continued through information and education campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to extensive water exchanges and abundant active biochemical compositions, active and complex hydrogeochemical processes often exist in riverbank filtration (RBF). The distribution of microbes is considered to be profoundly affected by these processes and is considered to impact the hydrogeochemical processes and the migration and transformation of water pollutants in turn and then impact the water quality. The distribution of microbes and their response to the physiochemical properties along a vertical RBF profile perpendicular to the Songhua River in Northeast China was explored by using 16 S rRNA and redundancy analysis (RDA). The results showed that various microbes were found in the vertical riparian filter (RBF) curve, including Actinobacteria , Proteobacteria , Acidobacteria , Chloroflexi , and Firmicutes. With increasing depth (vertical) and distance from the river (lateral), the microbial community and diversity in the RBF sediment profile decreased. Nitrospirota , Pseudomonas , Gammaproteobacteria , Ochrobactrum , Acinetobacter and Desulfobacterota of the RBF core taxa were also significantly correlated with the biotransformation behavior of typical groundwater pollutants (ammonia, Fe, Mn and S). The amount of As in the RBF is too low to sustain microbial survival. Some microbes in RBF can also degrade natural organic pollutants. This study not only revealed the spatial distribution of geological microbes under the impact of hydrological processes but also lays a foundation for the further study of the hydrobiogeochemical processes of active biochemical compositions in groundwater and water quality evolution, which is of positive significance to ensure the quality safety of the drinking water supplied by RBFs. • Microbial diversity and community abundance in RBF decrease with depth and distance. • Microbial phylum and genus composition varies significantly with depth and distance. • Microbial community structure in RBF is greatly impacted by pollutants and location. • Microbial diversity and community are closely related to the RBF environment. • Available RBF As content is too low to maintain the survival of arsenic bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceutical contamination of shallow groundwater is a substantial concern in effluent-dominated streams, due to high aqueous mobility, designed bioactivity, and effluent-driven hydraulic gradients. In October and December 2012, effluent contributed approximately 99% and 71%, respectively, to downstream flow in Fourmile Creek, Iowa, USA. Strong hydrologic connectivity was observed between surface-water and shallow-groundwater. Carbamazepine, sulfamethoxazole, and immunologically-related compounds were detected in groundwater at greater than 0.02 μg L −1 at distances up to 6 m from the stream bank. Direct aqueous-injection HPLC-MS/MS revealed 43% and 55% of 110 total pharmaceutical analytes in surface-water samples in October and December, respectively, with 16% and 6%, respectively, detected in groundwater approximately 20 m from the stream bank. The results demonstrate the importance of effluent discharge as a driver of local hydrologic conditions in an effluent-impacted stream and thus as a fundamental control on surface-water to groundwater transport of effluent-derived pharmaceutical contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural activities can be important source of organic pollution. In agricultural intensive areas, organic chemicals have a high possibility of entering the water cycle, which could pose a potential risk to human health. Low-cost and high efficiency in-situ techniques instead of energy and money consuming ones to control agricultural organic micropollutants (Agro-OMPs) in aquatic system are extremely needed. In this paper, emerging Agro-OMPs were discussed focusing on their occurrence, pathways and risks. The mechanisms, dominant parameters and effectiveness of riverbank filtration, riparian buffer zone, constructed wetland and permeable reactive barriers for removing these pollutants are presented and discussed. Ecological succession in Riverbank Filtration (RBF) system is worth noticing for its stability maintenance. Riparian buffer zone (RBZ) should be explored more focusing on flexibility improvement and construction standardization. Constructed wetland (CW) is quite efficient on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) attenuation, but the risk of ARGs propagation still exist. Besides, more innovations should be made on combination, field-scale application and long-term evaluation of in-situ remediation techniques, which will provide references for agricultural water management and water quality improvement. [Display omitted] • Ecological succession of Riverbank filtration should be paid more attention for stability maintenance. • Flexible arrangement, standard and combination of riparian buffer zone removing agro-OMPs should be explored. • Constructed wetland is the most efficient in-situ technique for ARGs attenuation, but the health risk still exists. • Electrokinetic coupled PRBs and biobarriers are promising in removal combined agricultural diffuse pollutants. • Field-scale application and long-term evaluation of in-situ remediation techniques are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the transport of C4–10 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and C4,6,8 perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) in a water-saturated sediment column representing a riverbank filtration scenario under near-natural conditions. Short-chain PFCAs and PFSAs with up to six C-atoms showed complete tracer-like breakthrough. Longer chain ones were retarded due to sorption to the sediment or due to other processes in the aqueous phase. The study reports the first column derived sediment–water partition coefficients ranging from 0.01 cm3 g−1 to 0.41 cm3 g−1 for C4,6 PFSAs and from 0.0 cm3 g−1 to 6.5 cm3 g−1 for C4,5,6,8,9 PFCAs. The results clearly indicate that short-chain PFCAs and PFSAs may pose a problem if contaminated surface waters are used for drinking water production via riverbank filtration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present paper presents the occurrence of 72 pharmaceuticals and 23 transformation products (TPs) in groundwaters (GWs) underlying the city of Barcelona, Spain. Thirty-one samples were collected under different districts, and at different depths. Aquifers with different geologic features and source of recharge were included, i.e., natural bank filtration, infiltration from wastewater and water supply pipes, rainfall recharge, etc. Antibiotics were the most frequently found compounds detected at levels reaching 1000 ng L−1. Natural bank filtration from the river that receives large amounts of effluents from waste water treatment plants (WWTPs), turned out being the most influencing source of contamination, thus GW showed high range of compounds and concentrations as high as or even higher than in the river itself. In general, TPs were found at lower concentrations than the corresponding parent compounds, with some exceptions, such as 4OH propranolol and enalaprilat. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article summarizes results of Water Research Foundation report 3136, Removal and Fate of EDCs and PPCPs in Bank Filtration Systems (Storck et al, 2010). The efficiency of bank filtration (BF) as a water treatment process for removing organic trace pollutants in general and, more specifically, pharmaceuticals and personal care products and endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) was evaluated. Chemical structure and physicochemical properties of a compound, retention time, and redox setting were identified as key factors controlling removal of trace pollutants. Temperature and discharge of the river were found to be important for the minority of compounds investigated. Results obtained from a literature survey of waterworks in the United States and Germany with different site characteristics and trace pollutant concentrations were transferable. Concentrations of more than 70 detectable pollutants were mostly reduced during bank passage. Persistent substances were mainly ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, sulfamethoxazole, carbamazepine, amidotrizoic acid, naphthalene-1,5-disulfonate, and naphthalene-1,3,5-trisulfonate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanistic insights into the relative contribution of sorption and biodegradation on the removal of the herbicide isoproturon (IPU) are reported. 14C-radiorespirometry indicated very low levels of catabolic activity in IPU-undosed and IPU-dosed (0.1, 1, 100 μg L−1) river water (RW) and groundwater (GW) (mineralisation: <2%). In contrast, levels of catabolic activity in IPU-undosed and IPU-dosed river sediment (RS) were significantly higher (mineralisation: 14.5–36.9%). Levels of IPU catabolic competence showed a positive log-linear relationship (r 2 = 0.768) with IPU concentration present. A threshold IPU concentration of between 0.1 μg L−1 and 1 μg L−1 was required to significantly (p < 0.05) increase levels of catabolic activity. Given the EU Drinking Water Directive limit for a single pesticide in drinking water of <0.1 μg L−1 this result suggests that riverbed sediment infiltration is potentially an appropriate ‘natural’ means of improving water quality in terms of pesticide levels at concentrations that are in keeping with regulatory limits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the River Tunnel and Pump Station project of the Louisville Water Co. (LWC), an innovative riverbank filtration (RBF) that provides high-quality water to Louisville and its surrounding areas across Kentucky. It recounts that Lousiville was once referred as the graveyard of the West due to the rampant cases of typhoid fever caused by contaminated water. The move of the LWC in educating the community to embrace the technological innovation is also mentioned.

Abstract: Laboratory continuous flow-through riverbank filtration (RBF) models were developed to study the organic substances and ammonia nitrogen removal efficiency in the riverbank filtration process. The results indicated that the priority pollutants, organic substances and ammonia nitrogen, could be removed to a great extent. The results also indicate that the quality of the Huai River water is acceptable to operate the abstraction system with the riverbank filtration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Base on the previous study of organic substances and ammonia nitrogen removal efficiency through laboratory continuous flow-through riverbank filtration (RBF) models, field study were carried out to evaluate the results drawn from small model experiments. Five wells were selected to in this riverbank filtration process field study. The results indicated that the priority pollutants, organic substances and ammonia nitrogen, could be removed to a great extent. The results also indicate that the quality of the Huai River water is acceptable to operate the abstraction system with the riverbank filtration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Riverbank filtration, and more recently seabed filtration, has attracted attention as being an effective, low-energy treatment process for water. The process includes filtration of surface water through porous streambed media with a cross flow of water over the streambed, similar to the surface-sweeping mechanism in membrane filtration. The importance of this cross-flow mechanism on the particle removal processes at work in riverbank filtration has not been explored; therefore, this research was initiated to provide insight into this process. Results indicated that the presence of the tangential cross flow of water across a filter surface significantly affects filtrate quality. The unanticipated finding was the apparent concentration of larger particles near the filtration surface, evidence of which was observed in the experimental flume and supported in computer simulations of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study set out to quantify the contributions of subsurface filtration (or underground passage) and groundwater dilution to overall reductions/removals by riverbank filtration (RBF). Samples were collected from four RBF study sites that varied in terms of distance between river sources and extraction wells, river water quality, hydrology, well construction and pumping rate, and subsurface material. Samples were analyzed for removal of dissolved organic carbon, total coliforms, aerobic spore-forming bacteria, and virus indicators. Results indicated that the relative contribution of each removal mechanism was site-specific. Both groundwater dilution and sub-surface filtration appeared to be important reduction/removal processes. Within the United States, RBF is a relatively unfamiliar drinking water treatment. The findings presented here indicate that RBF can be effective as both a primary treatment and a pretreatment process and can significantly improve the quality of river water in terms of particulates, organic precursors, and microbial removals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Central Wyoming Regional Water System operates 29 groundwater collection devices in an alluvial aquifer adjacent to the North Plane River. These collection devices were previously designated "groundwater under the direct influence of surface water. In lieu of constructing a conventional surface water treatment plant, the utility opted to perform a two-year study to demonstrate that riverbank filtration (i.e., natural filtration) provided the 2.0-log reduction of Cryptosporidium required under the Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (e.g., riverbank filtration is the primary filtration process). Using multiple surrogates of various sizes encompassing those of Giardia and Cryptosporidium, the utility demonstrated 2.0-log reductions in more than 90% of matched data pairs. No Giardia cysts or Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in any of the 170 groundwater samples. This level of removal was achieved during the summer months when infiltration rates are high because of increased river stage and well-field production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riverbank filtration relies on the streambed and aquifer matrixes to reduce pathogens under varying conditions of induced infiltration resulting from changes in river stage and flow velocity. The Greater Cincinnati (Ohio) Water Works monitored hydrologic parameters and water quality at its Charles M. Bolton well field during a comprehensive flowpath study. The study determined the frequency of occurrence of high river--stage events from historical data and monitored hydrologic parameters to estimate the potential unit infiltration rate. Giardia, Cryptosporidium, algae, spores, particle counts, and turbidity were also monitored. The project investigated potential pathogen/surrogate breakthrough during several high river-stage and infiltration events. High-stage events occurred less than 4% of the time. Giardia and Cryptosporidium were not detected in any groundwater samples. Increases in surrogate concentrations were minimal and maintained >3.5-log reduction. The streambed and aquifer have the ability to buffer water quality effects from major increases in the infiltration rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More and more US water providers are looking into riverbank filtration (RBF) systems as a simple, low-cost, and effective pretreatment process for drinking water production. However, many utilities are not aware that RBF is also ideal for handling chemical shock loads that may result from emergency spills or spring flooding in agricultural watersheds. With RBF, dissolved and suspended contaminants are reduced as the water passes through the river sediment-aquifer system. In addition, RBF systems can moderate peak concentrations of chemicals and delay their arrival at the pumping wells, providing utilities with ample time to take necessary treatment action. In this research, a model was used to investigate the effectiveness of RBF systems in mitigating chemical shock loads. Scenarios simulated both horizontal and vertical wells, with riverbed and bank hydraulic properties varying as a function of river stage. Results indicated that RBF wells subject to chemical shock loads do not allow significant breakthrough of spilled chemicals if the bank material is low in conductivity or, if the bank material is highly conductive, wells are placed away from the river. The Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule's provision of a 0.5- to 1.0-log filtration credit has generated increased interest in RBF systems. RBF's ability to mitigate chemical contamination from spills, agricultural chemical applications, and chemical runoff during floods should make the process even more attractive to US water suppliers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During riverbank filtration (RBF), surface water is subjected to ground passage and a combination of physical, chemical, and biological processes (e.g., filtration, dilution, sorption, and biodegradation) that can significantly improve the raw water quality. This study of three drinking water utilities in the mid-western United States compared RBF with bench-scale conventional treatment for reduction of disinfection by-product (DBP) precursors. A companion article published in the October 2003 JOURNAL discussed the fate of DBP precursors and selected microorganisms during RBF. River waters from the three sites were subjected to a treatment train consisting of coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and ozonation. Data indicated that RBF performed as well as or better than bench-scale conventional treatment with respect to DBP precursor removal. Bench-scale treatment reduced total and dissolved organic carbon concentrations by 20 to 50%, whereas the water's subsurface travel to the closer wells at the three sites resulted in reductions between 30 and 70%. Reductions in precursor material for trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, haloacetonitriles, haloketones, chloral hydrate, and chloropicrin were in the range of 40 to 80% with bench-scale treatment and 50 to 100% with RBF. With respect to removal of natural organic matter and DBP precursors, RBF has the potential to provide significant benefits, comparable to those offered by conventional unit processes. As RBF continues to gain popularity in the United States, one potential major role for the process may be as a pretreatment step for DBP precursor control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many well fields in sand and gravel aquifers are likely to be hydraulically influenced by surface water; however, their risk for Giardia and Cryptosporidium contamination may be low because of natural filtration (i.e., riverbank filtration [RBF]). This study was undertaken to evaluate the true risk for pathogenic protozoa in a well field being recharged by a local river. The authors assert that RBF should be considered as a treatment process, with the proper amount of assigned treatment credit. It is one of many treatment tools in the microbial toolbox in the proposed Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, but it should be given more than the 1.0 log credit if warranted (demonstrated) at a particular well field. It is hoped this information will help utility managers obtain the proper amount of treatment credit for RBF, especially if their ground-water source is designated as being "under the direct influence of surface water."Many well fields in sand and gravel aquifers are likely to be hydraulically influenced by surface water; however, their risk for Giardia and Cryptosporidium contamination may be low because of natural filtration (i.e., riverbank filtration [RBF]). This study was undertaken to evaluate the true risk for pathogenic protozoa in a well field being recharged by a local river. The authors assert that RBF should be considered as a treatment process, with the proper amount of assigned treatment credit. It is one of many treatment tools in the microbial toolbox in the proposed Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, but it should be given more than the 1.0 log credit if warranted (demonstrated) at a particular well field. It is hoped this information will help utility managers obtain the proper amount of treatment credit for RBF, especially if their ground-water source is designated as being "under the direct influence of surface water." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface waters are becoming increasingly contaminated by pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs), which is a potential risk factor for drinking water quality owing to incomplete riverbank filtration. This study examined the efficiency of riverbank filtration with regard to 111 PhACs in a highly urbanized section of the river Danube. One hundred seven samples from the Danube were compared to 90 water samples from relevant drinking water abstraction wells (DWAW) during five sampling periods. The presence of 52 PhACs was detected in the Danube, the quantification of 19 agents in this section of the river was without any precedent, and 10 PhACs were present in >80% of the samples. The most frequent PhACs showed higher concentrations in winter than in summer. In the DWAWs, 32 PhACs were quantified. For the majority of PhACs, the bank filtration efficiency was >95%, and not influenced by concentrations measured in the river. For carbamazepine lidocaine, tramadol, and lamotrigine, low (<50%) filtration efficiency was observed; however, no correlations were observed between the concentrations detected in the Danube and in the wells. These frequently occurring PhACs in surface waters have a relatively even distribution, and their sporadic appearance in wells is a function of both space and time, which may be caused by the constantly changing environment and micro-biological parameters, the dynamic operating schedule of abstraction wells, and the resulting sudden changes in flow rates. Due to the changes in the efficiency of riverbank filtration in space and time, predicting the occurrence and concentrations of these four PhACs poses a further challenge to ensuring a safe drinking water supply. Image 1 • Bank filtration was investigated along a highly urbanized section of the Danube. • Fiftytwo PhACs were detected in the Danube, and 32 were present in drinking water. • Filtration efficiency is not influenced by drug concentrations. • Filtration efficiency for carbamazepine, lamotrigine, lidocaine and tramadol is low. • The concentration of the frequent PhACs changes randomly in operating wells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the mitigation of the ecological effects of Riverbank Filtration (RBF) in Europe and other parts of the U.S. The ability of RBF to significantly lessen the concentrations of contaminants found in urban surface waters is confirmed by data around the world. In the system, water pretreatment is achieved by pumping water through an aquifer. Riverbed clogging changes vital aquatic habitat and that many species of fish and invertebrates rely on clean riverbed surfaces of sand and gravel. Withdrawing water directly from a river does not substantially affect the water table level in adjacent floodplain.

Abstract Riverbank filtration (RBF) represents a low-cost and sustainable alternative to advanced treatment technologies to pre-treat or remove several organic micropollutants (OMPs) from surface water. The objective of this research was to investigate the efficacy of biodegradation and adsorption processes in the removal of OMPs at high temperatures (20–30 ± 2 °C) during RBF. Laboratory-scale batch studies were conducted using silica sand at different temperatures (20, 25 and 30 °C) to study the removal of 19 OMPs (6 polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 8 herbicides and 5 insecticides) from various water sources with different organic matter characteristics. Simazine, atrazine, metolachlor, and isoproturon exhibited partial persistent characters (16% < removal < 59%), which apparently decreased with increase in temperature. DDT, pyriproxyfen, pendimethalin, β-BHC, endosulfan sulfate and PAHs with high hydrophobicity (solubility in terms of logS < -4) tend to be well adsorbed onto sand grains (removal> 80%), regardless of temperature, redox conditions or type of organic carbon fraction fed to the batch reactors. These findings indicate that these hydrophobic compounds are effectively removed during RBF regardless of the environmental conditions. Hydrophilic compounds (molinate, dimethoate, and propanil) showed temperature-dependent characteristics for influent water with low organic matter; their attenuation increased at higher temperature (removal > 95%) due to the high microbial activity. This study revealed that temperature is an important parameter affecting the removal of OMPs with hydrophilic and low-hydrophobicity characters. However, temperature has less influence on the removal of highly hydrophobic OMPs during RBF process and thus should be considered during RBF system design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the significance of resource typing to the water sector in the U.S. The water and wastewater system demonstrated their willingness and capability to help the response to and recovery from disasters. The utilities-helping-utilities mutual aid and assistance does not occur effortlessly and seamlessly, notwithstanding the effort of available resources and strong willingness of water systems in assisting their counterparts. Many wastewater agencies have collaborated to improve the provision of intrastate and interstate mutual aid and assistance. They produced advancements in mutual aid and assistance networks among water and wastewater systems.

The article offers the author's insights on the benefits of riverbank filtration, granular activated carbon (GAC), and membrane filtration. It notes that the GAC is effective at removing natural organic matter (NOM), that in turn lessens the formation of disinfection by-products according to the Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW). It states that riverbank filtration is used in water treatment worldwide as a means of cleaning surface water from rivers or lakes used for drinking water supply.

The article discusses various reports published within the issue including one by Gary Logsdon on the use of filtration in water treatment, one by Stephen A. Hubbs on the mechanisms of riverbank filtration, and one by Nicandro Porcelli on the study of fibers extracted from water treatment plants.