Grantee Research Project Results

Arsenic Removal System for Residential and Point-of-Use Applications

EPA Contract Number: 68D02078
Title: Arsenic Removal System for Residential and Point-of-Use Applications
Investigators: Turchi, Craig S.
Small Business: ADA Technologies Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: October 1, 2002 through July 31, 2003
Project Amount: $99,993
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2002) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Water and Wastewater , Watersheds , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

Description:

Arsenic contamination in drinking water is a severe health risk to populations throughout the world, including the United States. In recognition of this threat, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently lowered its water standard for arsenic from 50 ppb to 10 ppb. This change is expected to impact 10 percent of U.S. community drinking water systems. The operators of small water systems and individual well water users will face the greatest challenge in meeting this new standard

All water systems serving 25 or more users must meet the new standard for arsenic. However, systems supplying between 25 and 500 users are typically not large enough to make centralized treatment systems cost effective. Consequently, such systems often will use distributed point-of-use and point-of-entry (POU/POE) treatment units. A historic difficulty with such arrangements, particularly for home use, is determining when the device requires service?a feature required by law.

The goal of this multiphased research project is to demonstrate a compact, simple system for arsenic removal in POU/POE drinking water systems. The unit will combine a highly effective arsenic sorbent with an arsenic-monitoring sensor and alarm to alert the user that the bed requires replacement. The system features ADA Technologies, Inc.?s new amended silicate sorbent-a material that exhibits long life and the ability to remove both forms of arsenic that commonly are found in well water.

During the Phase I research project, the project team will develop and test a novel sensor for arsenate, one that detects arsenate ions by their molecular "footprint." Concurrently, the team will integrate the amended silicate sorbent and flow-sensing electronics into a compact water-treatment package. Local and remote alert functions will be included. Phase I will conclude with tests using arsenic-contaminated water from southwest Colorado. Phase II will incorporate the novel sensor into the overall design and expand its functionality to include arsenite detection. The goal is to provide an affordable unit with an operation that is as understandable as a home smoke alarm-a device that alerts when danger exists, and provides peace of mind when all is well.

Supplemental Keywords:

small business, SBIR, EPA, arsenic, drinking water, point-of-use, point-of-entry, POU, POE, well water, small water systems, arsenic-monitoring sensor silicate sorbent., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Water, Environmental Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Arsenic, Drinking Water, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Monitoring, community water system, silicate sorbent, Safe Drinking Water, treatment, monitoring, chemical contaminants, contaminant removal, drinking water system, drinking water contaminants, drinking water treatment, water treatment, risk management, public water systems, point of use, arsenic contaminated sediment, arsenic exposure, arsenic removal, monitoring sensor

Progress and Final Reports:

Final Report

SBIR Phase II:

Arsenic Removal System for Residential and Point-of-Use Applications  | Final Report