Grantee Research Project Results

2024 Progress Report: Innovation Applied: Streamlining Access and Approval of Technology for Small Systems and Private Wells

EPA Grant Number: WT840243
Title: Innovation Applied: Streamlining Access and Approval of Technology for Small Systems and Private Wells
Investigators: Roberson, Alan , Reckhow, David A. , Ferguson, Christobel , Oxenford, Jeff , Kumpel, Emily
Institution: Association of State Drinking Water Administrators , Water Research Foundation (VA) , University of Massachusetts Amherst , Rural Community Assistance Partnership
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2024 (Extended to July 31, 2026)
Project Period Covered by this Report: August 1, 2023 through July 31,2024
Project Amount: $936,049
RFA: Deployment of Innovative Water Technologies for Very Small Drinking Water Systems, Areas Served by Private Wells and Source Waters (2021) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Water Quality , Water

Objective:

The primary aim of this project is to develop and validate programmatic approaches through research and technical assistance for obtaining approval for new or alternative technologies for very small water systems in a state and how to ensure that, or to the greatest extent possible with technical assistance, approvals could transfer from state to state without compromising public health protection.

Progress Summary:

The Research Team continues to work on various solutions based on a series of recommended actions developed from those earlier findings.

Recommendations:

1. Develop a decision guide for small systems to use when evaluating innovative technologies. The Research Team finalized a guide that communities, technical assistance providers (TAPs), and other stakeholders can use when selecting a new drinking water treatment technology. When published, this guide will prompt small systems to consider if a treatment solution is right for them, then consider both conventional treatment and innovative technologies, ranging from new innovations to technologies established but not commonly used in small and very small systems.

2. Configure a shared resource for state regulators to accelerate research and foster greater knowledge transfer about innovative treatment technologies, including lessons learned and important considerations to ensure successful deployment and speed regulatory review. The Research Team set up a Microsoft Teams environment where state regulatory staff could conduct research and communicate with their peers across state lines. The Team also initiated an effort to collect and organize information on individual
state technology approval requirements, as well as lessons learned and valuable considerations to assist other state reviewers.

3. Generate resources for vendors to learn more about bringing their technologies to market, increasing their understanding of the state regulatory review process and expectations. The Research Team is converting the information collected on state PFAS approvals into an interactive map of the US populated with information on state requirements. When the effort is complete, there will be a publicly accessible resource that will allow an individual to click on a state to learn more about their requirements, including links to additional information. Other efforts to address Recommendation 3 include longer-term goals to develop simple guidance for smaller start-ups just entering the sector.

4. Create online training courses to support a rules-based understanding of treatment options to assist state regulators. Develop and make available less technical versions of this content for small and rural systems and private well owners so they understand how best to evaluate innovative treatment options. The Research Team partnered with an online learning service provider but unfortunately was not able to finalize the initial training module due to factors impacting the service provider that were out of the Research Team’s control. To date, the Research Team has developed basic training for the Arsenic Rule and plans to engage with another service provider in the future. Subsequent training modules will be developed for Evaluating Treatment Options for Private Well Owners and Evaluating Treatment Options for Small and Very Small Systems. Given the delay, it is possible this activity will extend beyond the timeline of this project.

Future Activities:

This project's next phase will focus on finalizing the development and promotion of our proposed solutions to lower barriers to technology approvals, increase knowledge and information sharing between stakeholders, and promote innovation within the sector. The Research Team plans to host an in-person workshop in November 2024 focused specifically on developing guidance for PFAS treatment piloting.

Supplemental Keywords:

water, technologies, treatment, innovation, state, approvals, small systems

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

The 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.