Control of health risks in drinking water through point-of-use systems

The control of health risks and the provision of safe drinking water have received great concern in the research field of the science and technologies of drinking water purification. The chemicals, microorganisms, and nano-materials in drinking water exhibit the basic characteristics of low-dosage, complexity, and hard-to-control, and promote potential health risks during the treatment, distribution, and storing of drinking water. The establishment of point-of-use (POU) systems is required for the control of health risks in drinking water according to these practical requirements. This study proposed the philosophy of point-of-use (POU) systems which aimed to control the health risks in drinking water, and introduced several key unit processes. Based on the idea above, the POU systems for health risks control have been developed and successfully used in the Olympic Village and its core areas during the period of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Supported by the Founds for Creative Research Groups of China (Grant No. 50621804).