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Artificial sweetener sucralose in U.S. drinking water systems
Douglas B Mawhinney1, Robert B Young, Brett J Vanderford
1Southern Nevada Water Authority, Las Vegas, Nevada 89193, USA. doug.mawhinney@snwa.com
Environmental Science & Technology
|September 2, 2011
Summary
The artificial sweetener sucralose contaminates U.S. drinking water, persisting through treatment and distribution systems. Its presence indicates wastewater influence and other persistent compounds in tap water.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Water Quality Analysis
- Contaminant Hydrology
Background:
- Artificial sweeteners like sucralose are emerging contaminants.
- Sucralose is detected in wastewater, surface water, and groundwater.
- Understanding sucralose occurrence in drinking water is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of sucralose in U.S. drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs).
- To evaluate sucralose removal efficiency during water treatment.
- To determine sucralose's utility as an indicator for water contamination.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of water samples from 19 U.S. DWTPs using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
- Monitoring sucralose levels in source, finished, and distribution system water.
- Long-term monitoring at one DWTP over 11 months.
Main Results:
- Sucralose detected in source water (15/19), finished water (13/17), and distribution water (8/12) across U.S. DWTPs.
- Low average removal (12%) observed during water treatment.
- Sucralose persisted in distribution systems, irrespective of disinfectants like chlorine or chloramines.
- Consistent presence in source and finished water over an 11-month period.
Conclusions:
- Sucralose is a widespread contaminant in U.S. drinking water systems.
- It serves as a reliable indicator of anthropogenic influence on water sources.
- Sucralose indicates the presence of other persistent organic pollutants in finished drinking water.
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