The ARCADIS Durham, North Carolina, office is a Field Testing Organization (FTO) for the NSF/EPA Environmental Technology Verification (ETV)-Drinking Water Technology pilot program, managed by NSF International, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan. Under the ETV program, vendors of environmental process technologies hire an FTO to develop a test plan for pilot- and/or full-scale sized systems, coordinate and carry-out testing, analyze results, and write a final verification report to verify vendors' technology performance claims. ARCADIS subcontracts with both the vendor and NSF/EPA. ARCADIS has received numerous accolades from all entities for our responsiveness, communication, and professionalism.
To date, the ARCADIS Durham office has been the FTO for three separate disinfection technologies under the ETV - Drinking Water pilot program. ARCADIS has written the test plans and has conducted tracer testing, verification testing, and bacterial/viral challenge testing at a drinking water treatment plant in South Carolina. A draft final report for one technology has been submitted. Testing on the two other technologies is close to completion.
The PentaPure system utilizes a proprietary pentaiodide-impregnated ion-exchange resin to facilitate the deactivation of pathogenic organisms. The PentaPure system includes a complete package of drinking water unit treatment processes (aeration, filtration, disinfection, carbon polishing) for processing raw water to potable standards. ARCADIS has conducted a dye-based tracer test, disinfection challenge testing using MS-2 bacteriophage and E. coli bacterium, and verification testing including a battery of sampling events and testing for routine and specialized raw and potable water quality parameters, as well as general operational documentation.
ARCADIS has completed testing and drafted a final verification report for the ClorTec on-site hypochlorite generation system pictured at right. The ClorTec system generates hypochlorite disinfectant by passing an electrical current through a brine solution, providing a safer and more cost-effective option than using gaseous chlorine for potable water disinfection. The disinfectant is then dosed into the water. In addition to potassium tracer testing and raw and treated water verification testing, disinfection challenge testing was conducted by ARCADIS using Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium.
The Oxi system is similar to the ClorTec system, in that a disinfectant (a mixed oxidant) is generated and aspirated into the water undergoing treatment. Verification testing and challenge testing using P. aeruginosa will be conducted.
