Haloacetamides in the Drinking Water of Athens, Greece: Determination and Degradation

A survey was conducted in the Athens water supply to determine the presence of haloacetamides in drinking water by liquid–liquid extraction and gas chromatography. The samples were collected from the potable water reservoirs located at the four water treatment plants. The results showed the presence of 2-chloroacetamide and 2,2-dichloroacetamide at low concentrations. The stability of these chloroacetamides was also investigated. The results showed that haloacetamides decompose in the presence of chlorine to form haloacetic acids and chloroform and that haloacetamides decomposed in the presence of a dechlorinating agent in the absence of chlorine. The degradation of 2,2-dichloroacetamide was faster in chlorinated treated water than in raw or ultrapure water.