There is a need for accurate, rapid, and easily measured surrogate parameters for trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP) to aid in the control of water treatment plants. Four haloform formation potential (HFP) tests have been developed to meet this need. They are based on replacing chlorine in the THMFP test with iodine or bromine. The iodoform or bromoform produced by reaction with natural organic matter can be measured with a spectrophotometer rather than a gas chromatograph. Kinetics of formation of iodoform and bromoform were studied at 25, 50, and 100 degree C using solutions of commercial humic acid. Correlation experiments showed that the HFP tests were better able to predict THMFP than conventional surrogate parameters, total organic carbon and ultraviolet absorption. On the basis of ease of analysis, analysis time, and ability to predict THMFP, the HFP tests appear to be improved surrogate parameters for THMFP.
