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POINT-OF-USE TREATMENT OF DRINKING WATER IN SAN YSIDRO, NM
Citation:
Rogers, K. POINT-OF-USE TREATMENT OF DRINKING WATER IN SAN YSIDRO, NM. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-89/050.
Description:
A study was conducted to determine whether point-of-use reverse osmosis units could satisfactorily function in lieu of central treatment to remove arsenic and fluoride from the drinking water supply of a small community. Point-of-use treatment was evaluated for removal efficiency, cost, and management effectiveness. The community involved in this study, San Ysidro, New Mexico, averaged arsenic concentrations of 0.059 mg/L and fluoride concentrations of 2.7 mg/L during the project period. Seventy-eight under-the-sink model reverse osmosis units with polyamide membranes were installed during the project. The reverse osmosis units attained 86 percent arsenic removal and 87 percent fluoride removal during the 20 month project period. The units were evaluated for removal of chloride, iron, manganese, TDS and bacteria as well. The reverse osmosis units were effective in removal of chloride, iron, manganese and TDS to below the recommended MCLs, but the removal percentages were approximately ten percent less than those stated in the manufacturer's literature. This discrepancy was more than likely due to the quantity and combination of contaminants in the San Ysidro water supply.