The ability to predict the occurrence and the intensity of an algal bloom in resources is critical for effectiveness of the water treatment process and also for any short term remedial measures needed in the water body itself. The major negative impacts of algae concerning both water quality parameters and operational issues are the following:

- Regarding the water quality algae have strong incidence on pH, dissolved oxygen, level of chlorophyll a, biodegradable dissolved organic carbon, turbidity, increase of disinfectant demand, presence of Cyanotoxins and taste and odour causing compounds (Geosmin, MIB).

- On operational side algae cause disruption in settling (coagulant demand, pH, sludge behaviour), filter clogging, membrane fouling. The objective of this study is to establish an operational strategy to predict, quantify and overcome the problem of algae and metabolites on plants treating surface waters. The expected outcomes of this work are:

- Operational strategy to control and minimize algae growth problem.

- Recommendations to optimize and adapt treatment technologies to remove algae and associated micro-pollutants.

- Improved treatment reliability and guaranty for compliance with current and future targets both on quantity and quality of produced water.

- Improvements in customer satisfaction (taste and odour).

algae, toxins, cyanobacteria, geosmin, MIB, monitoring, best available technologies for water treatment
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