The pollution of phthalate esters(PAEs) in water source of cities is a threat for the safety of drinking water quality.PAEs pollution in the domestic surface water(including water source) and the treated water in water works were reviewed.A combination method of adsorption by powdered activated carbon(PAC) and coagulation-sedimentation was proposed

which can be a suitable technology and coping measure to PAEs pollution in raw water for most water plants in China.Then the removal efficiency of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate(DEHP) by the combination technology was experimentally studied.The results show that the technology can remove DEHP effectively in water.The turbidity of treated water is an important influencing factor for the removal of DEHP.The effect of PAC’s physical and chemical properties on the removal of DEHP from raw water is small.The recommended dose of PAC in the combination technology was given based on the lab experimental results obtained at different pollution levels of DEHP

which can be a technical reference for practice.