Water Volumes

Conversion to On-Site Sodium Hypochlorite Generation: Water and Wastewater Applications
Leonard W. Casson and James W. Bess Jr. (2002). Lewis Publishers, 2000 NW Corporate Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33431, 224 pp., $179.95, hardcover, ISBN 1-58716-094-3.

While not a novel approach to disinfection, onsite generation of sodium hypochlorite is a growing trend in the water and wastewater industry. The authors dedicate a major portion of this book to the equipment required for onsite hypochlorite generation and the technical specifications associated with this equipment.

Various chapters will appeal to different audiences; however, overall, engineers are most likely to find this reference helpful in designing onsite hypochlorite generation systems. The book contains abundant information about the types of systems, system components, and construction materials, as well as more than 100 pages of detailed technical specifications for equipment.

Although water and wastewater operators generally rely on the manufacturer’s operating manual after equipment is installed, operators may find several chapters in this book useful for troubleshooting onsite hypochlorite generation problems and making recommendations.

A few chapters would benefit from specific enhancements. Chapter 1 focuses on a brief history of chlorine, bleach, and hypochlorite. The history is somewhat disjointed, and the reader is left with an incomplete picture as to how chlorine was produced, how it was used, and the production relationship among chlorine, bleach, and hypochlorite. General elements from chapters 2 and 3 should have been included in Chapter 1 to explain why sodium hypochlorite should be used instead of chlorine and why it is important to generate it onsite. Chapter 4 is necessary to understand the chlorine and hypochlorite disinfection processes; however, the authors delve into more detail than is necessary to understand the remainder of the book. Entry-level operators may quickly become overwhelmed by the details of the chemical reactions discussed.

This book would be improved by the addition of a glossary for easy access to previously referenced terms. The greatest shortcoming of this book is its complete lack of photographs or schematics, which would have greatly enhanced understanding of the equipment and processes discussed.

Noelle Anuszkiewicz is a program manager for the Anne Arundel County (Md.) Department of Public Works.


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