EPA plans to conduct the second phase of a demonstration program on the treatment (reduction and/or removal) of arsenic in drinking water. The EPA recently promulgated a standard that limits arsenic concentrations in drinking water to 10 ug/l. Through the program, the agency will evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of commercial technologies for meeting the new standard in small water systems i.e. those with fewer than 10,000 customers.

The EPA is encouraging the public, governmental and regulatory agencies, public health agencies and drinking water utilities to identify small water utilities interested in hosting a one-year demonstration at its facility. These facilities must be able to demonstrate commercially ready technologies or system process modifications that can achieve the new standard.

“Utilities might be interested in participating in these studies because it will allow them the opportunity to have the effectiveness and reliability of an arsenic treatment process installed and tested at their site,” the EPA stated. “At the end of the study, the utility will have operating information on an arsenic removal technology and be in a better position to make future decisions on treatment needs.”

The deadline for submitting information is July 15. Technology proposals for selected sites will be sought from technology vendors, engineering firms and others in September. As many as 22 demonstrations are planned. See www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/arsenic/.