Basin Water, Inc. announced that it will begin to offer NSF 61-certified photocatalytic membrane systems to drinking water providers in the U.S. via its agreement with Purifics ES, Inc.
Known as Photo-Cat, the technology combines one of the best chemical-free advanced oxidation process (AOP) technologies with long-life UV and maintenance-free ceramic membranes in a single unit operation. It may be used alone or in combination with other treatment systems as a part of Basin Water’s technology-plus-services approach, which features long-term agreements that guarantee performance and costs over the lifetime of a project and deliver a low lifecycle cost. Photo-Cat technology can effectively treat a broad range of organic contaminants in groundwater, including 1,4-dioxane, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). It is the only system of its kind with NSF 61 certification.
According to Michael M. Stark, president & CEO of Basin Water, NSF 61 certification of Photo-Cat technology offers the operators of water systems assurance that the materials in the systems meet the standards set by the drinking water profession for safety and quality.
“NSF certification of systems is an important part of assuring reliable, high-quality drinking water to our communities. It also will make it easier for our customers to receive permitting—meaning an overall faster response time in delivering new drinking water supplies and lower costs for compliance. These are essential elements of our relationship with our customers,” Stark said. “We are excited about the opportunity we have to bring Photo-Cat technology to communities throughout the United States because it will address some of the most difficult treatment issues safely, efficiently and cost-effectively.”
In February, Basin Water announced an agreement under which it will have exclusive rights to market Purifics’ technology for the reduction and destruction of organic materials in drinking water applications in North America. The exclusivity in this initial agreement applies to selected states in the U.S. and also covers non-exclusive rights to the remainder of North America subject to certain contract requirements.
Photo-Cat technology can treat a very broad range of organic contaminants in groundwater, with particular effectiveness in compounds from light and heavy industry, including those resulting from industrial solvents, refineries and metal cutting operations. Basin Water has investigated the use of Photo-Cat technology to treat three contaminants that have recently received scrutiny by the regulatory community: 1,4-dioxane, MTBE, and PPCPs. 1-4 dioxane and MTBE are currently on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Candidate Contaminant List 3, which is in public comment and review phase. If action is taken, it is expected that these will be regulated by the EPA with a national drinking water standard.
According to Stark, Photo-Cat technology used within the Basin Water business model is an ideal approach to handle these and other naturally occurring or synthetic organic contaminants of concern.
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