This research project was a joint venture between Mainstream Water Solutions Inc.,
the University of Regina Engineering Department, and the National Research
Council of Canada (NRC); partially funded by Communities of Tomorrow,
University of Regina, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
of Canada.
OBJECTIVE:
The objective was to enhance the arsenic removal capabilities of slow sand filtration
systems under certain water quality conditions through the addition of iron (zero
valent iron filings). The proposed technology is targeted to small utilities,
therefore, the Mainstream Biofiltration system was chosen for this project as
it excels at addressing rural water treatment needs. The treatment process must
remain simple, chemical-free and sustainable.
RESEARCHERS:
Ann Gottinger, B.Sc.ES, MASc., Dr. Dena McMartin
(supervisory), Dr. Brett Moldovan (collaboration).
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES:
Batch and column studies were conducted, and a subsequent pilot-scale study
took place in 2008. The project relied on the participation of two local communities: Buena Vista and Kannata Valley, SK. The results from these preliminary studies indicated that a ZVI/sand column can effectively remove arsenic to below the 10 ug/L MAC and shows promise for implementation in small-scale drinking water facilities.
For more detailed information, please see the manuscript, Development of an iron-amended biofilter for removal of arsenic from rural Canadian prairie potable water (Gottinger, et al., 2010), or the thesis.
Batch isotherm test on ZVI to determine arsenic loading capacity of iron filings
Column study Phase I using nutrient and arsenic-spiked RO water
and columns containing various ratios of ZVI and sand
Column study using two ratios of AVI/sand removing arsenic
from ozonated Kannata Valley and Buena Vista well water
20-40 mesh ZVI filings from Peerless Metals
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