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2002 SMALL SYSTEM RESEARCH
Citation:
Goodrich*, J A. 2002 SMALL SYSTEM RESEARCH. Water Quality Products. Scranton Gillette Communications Incorporated, Des Plaines, IL, January 2002:12, (2002).
Description:
As research on smaller treatment devices grows, interest is also growing on how POU/POE can fit into a utility's overall strategy of providing safe and affordable water to customers in community and non-community transient and non-transient systems of all sizes. The EPA has been considering various "Futures Scenarios" as part of the Comprehensive Drinking Water Research Strategy process scheduled for completion by the end of 2002. Prominent in these scenarios are the use of POU/POE devices, new technologies and materials, the need to treat poorer quality raw waters in water-short areas, all with the consumer very much involved. Bundled with this is the view that water utilities may need to provide additional services such as providing monitoring and testing services to small systems. In conjunction with this approach, EPA will be accelerating its research into development of the "electronic circuit-rider" concept that enables both the monitoring and control of isolated or satellite small drinking water treatment systems from a central location.
The EPA/NSF International Environmental Technology Verification, Drinking Water Systems Center will continue its field verifications looking at new medium presure UV systems, adsorptive media for arsenic removal, and membranes. Upgrades to testing protocols will also be undertaken.
During 2002 treatability research will continue on many of the contaminants on the original Cantaminant Candidate List (CCL) to determine if they will remain on the CCL2 (scheduled for release in 2003). During 2002, Final Rules are scneduled for the: Stage 2 Disinfection Byproduct Rule, Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, MTBE Secondary Standard, Radon, and Ground Water Rule.
Small Systems research will be performing cost and performance evaluations on hydrid configurations of various membranes, advancec oxidation processes, new adsorptive media/resins, and biotechnologies. There could be the application of both wastewater and drinking water technologies with an eye toward consideration of decentralized wastewater treatment technologies for wastewater reuse to provide customized water quality for various uses.