Grantee Research Project Results
Drinking Water Purification for U.S.A.-Mexico Border Region
EPA Grant Number: SU833177Title: Drinking Water Purification for U.S.A.-Mexico Border Region
Investigators: Deng, S.
Current Investigators: Deng, S. , Torres, Arely , Nunez, Laura , McCool, Ryan
Institution: New Mexico State University - Main Campus
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: September 30, 2006 through April 30, 2007
Project Amount: $10,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2006) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
One of the most serious problems along the U.S.A.-Mexican border is the lack of access to adequate quality drinking water. The groundwater from wells in Columbus, NM and Palomas, Mexico border region contains significantly high levels of fluoride and arsenic that could potentially cause many serious diseases for the residents, especially young children in this border region. There is an urgent need for purifying the drinking water supplied by the municipals to protect the health of the residents in the border region. Preliminary results from the PI’s research have shown that the sol-gel derived mesoporous alumina-based adsorbent can effectively adsorb both arsenic and fluoride from water. The specific goal of this project is to demonstrate the feasibility of using the mesoporous alumina-based adsorbent for removing both arsenic and fluoride from well waters in Columbus, NM and Palomas, Mexico. Activated alumina-based adsorption systems will be installed in both U.S.A. and Mexico well sites. This technology can be used either in large water treatment plants for municipals and/or the Point-of-Use for individual households. The main technical objective is to remove arsenic and fluoride from groundwater to below 10 μg/L and 4 mg/L, respectively.
Approach:
This project aims at reducing the arsenic and fluoride from groundwater in Columbus, NM and Palomas, Mexico border region to below 10 μg/L and 4 mg/L, respectively.
- Synthesize 2-3 kg of mesoporous alumina with a sol-gel method;
- Determine adsorption properties of arsenic and fluoride on the alumina;
- Test the alumina adsorption system in Columbus, NM and Palomas, Mexico.
Expected Results:
- Novel adsorbents with high arsenic and fluoride adsorption capacity;
- An effective water purification system for the Columbus, NM and Palomas, Mexico region.
- Excellent training and experience on drinking water purification for the participating students.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 3 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 1 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Water Treatment, arsenic, fluoride, engineering, clean technologies, innovative technology, waste reduction, environmental chemistry, analytical, health effects, human health, adsorption, community-based, socio-economic, conservation,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Geographic Area, Water, Sustainable Industry/Business, US Mexico Boarder, Sustainable Environment, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Ecology and Ecosystems, Drinking Water, sustainable development, alumina based adsorbent, fluorochemicals, adsorption processes, water treatment, drinking water treatment, pollution prevention, arsenicProgress and Final Reports:
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.