Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of treating a source water, comprising: providing a source water containing an amount of silicon-containing molecules; and exposing the source water to a plurality of organisms, whereby the amount is reduced after the exposure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of treating a source water containing at least one toxin is provided, the method comprising: (i) exposing a source water to a gas comprising ozone under a condition that promotes an interaction between the toxin and the ozone; and then (ii) subjecting the treated source water to a biological treatment.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method of regenerating an ion exchange medium, the method comprising: (i) providing an ion exchange medium comprising at least one first multivalent cation; (ii) providing an effluent comprising at least one monovalent cation and optionally at least one second multivalent cation, wherein the effluent comprises a desalination brine, and wherein, if the second multivalent cation is present, the monovalent cation and the second multivalent cation in the effluent are present at a ratio of at least about 200; and (iii) contacting the ion exchange medium with the effluent to promote an interaction between the second cation and the ion exchange medium, whereby the ion exchange medium is regenerated.