Grantee Research Project Results
Evaluation of Chitosan Coagulation as a Sustainable Method for Point of Use Drinking Water Treatment in Developing Countries
EPA Grant Number: SU834753Title: Evaluation of Chitosan Coagulation as a Sustainable Method for Point of Use Drinking Water Treatment in Developing Countries
Investigators: Sobsey, Mark D. , Ligon, Grant C. , Soros, Ampai , Armstrong, Andrew , Knee, Jackie , Casanova, Lisa
Current Investigators: Sobsey, Mark D. , Ligon, Grant C. , Soros, Ampai , Knee, Jackie , Armstrong, Andrew , Casanova, Lisa
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: II
Project Period: August 15, 2010 through August 14, 2012 (Extended to August 14, 2013)
Project Amount: $75,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet - Phase 2 (2010) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
This project will incorporate an evaluation of the microbial quality of recycled stormwater from green buildings in North Carolina, and an evaluation of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles for improving the quality of this water. In addition, we have added a team member who became interested in using chitosans for POU water treatment, and has been successful in securing a Fulbright to travel to Thailand to pursue this work. This has allowed us to add a project site in Thailand, as well as another partner, the Asian Institute for Technology. Therefore, the overall goal of Phase 2 is to optimize the use of chitosan in combination with metal ions to 1) improve the microbial quality of recycled rainwater captured from green building construction in the U.S. and 2) improve the microbial quality of recycled rainwater captured by rural households in Thailand for use as a primary source of drinking water.
Approach:
This work will be undertaken with the following specific aims:
- Measure the microbial quality of stormwater captured from green buildings in the U.S.
- Measure the microbial quality of rainwater collected by rural households in Thailand for use as drinking water
- Screen a collection of different chitosans and their nanoparticles for their ability to remove bacteria and viruses from rainwater collected by households in Thailand
- Screen a collection of different chitosans and their nanoparticles for their ability to remove metal ions from stormwater captured from green buildings in the U.S.
- Evaluate the user acceptability of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles for treatment of collected rainwater in Thailand
- Measure the ability metal ions, chitosans and chitosan nanoparticles in combination to improve microbial quality of stormwater from green buildings in the U.S.
Expected Results:
Based on the results of this project, we will be able to make recommendations about 1) the level of treatment captured rainwater from green buildings requires and 2) how metal ions and chitosan or chitosan nanoparticles can be used to achieve the necessary level of treatment. There are stakeholders in North Carolina who are interested in adopting these results for green building technology, including our own institution. Our results will provide sustainable, affordable ways to produce high-quality recycled water from rainwater collected by green building systems. This will allow organizations using green construction to expand the potential end uses for recycled rainwater.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 2 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 1 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
drinking water, treatment, health effects,Relevant Websites:
Phase 1 AbstractPhase 1 Final Report
Progress and Final Reports:
P3 Phase I:
Evaluation of Chitosan Coagulation as a Sustainable Method for Point of Use Drinking Water Treatment in Developing Countries | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.