Are Trace Organic Compounds (TOrCs) a Risk to Your Aquatic Life? A Framework for Evaluating the Potential Effects of Trace Organics

Thousands of trace organic compounds (TOrCs) are regularly released into the aquatic environment and little is known of their cumulative effects, although targeted studies have suggested exposures could be very important. Because of uncertainty concerning potential risks, management actions might focus on the wrong sites, and/or the wrong compounds, and might not yield the expected improvement of water quality and ecological integrity. WERF researchers are refining and validating site screening tools developed previously (CEC5R08) to assist water quality managers in evaluating the potential for adverse ecological effects associated with exposure to TOrCs discharged in treated wastewater. The overall goal is to allow water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) to make more informed assessments of risk from their effluent. The benefit of this research will be to strengthen, corroborate, and potentially refine screening tools using existing and new data to support more informed and reliable management decisions.