Rainwater Disinfection Options Presented By Jack Holmgreen, ARCSA-AP, WTS III SparkleTap Water Company.

Rainwater Disinfection Options

Presented ByJack Holmgreen, ARCSA-AP, WTS III

SparkleTap Water Company

Licensing & Regulatory RequirementsThe 77th Texas Legislature in June 2001 passed legislation transferring the legal authority to Chapter 341 of the Texas Water Code and designating the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) as the licensing agency for Water Treatment Specialist (WTS) licenses. The legislative goal is “to insure the public health and to protect the public from unqualified persons engaging in activities related to water treatment.” The TCEQ can be contacted at the address below.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Compliance Support Division (MC-178) Operator Certification Program P.O. Box 13087 Austin, TX 78711-3087 512-239-6165

Water Treatment - as defined by this act, “Water treatment means a business conducted under contract that requires experience in analysis of water, including the ability to determine how to treat influent and effluent water, to alter or purify water, and to add or remove mineral, chemical, or bacterial content or substance. The term also includes the installation and service of potable water treatment equipment in public or private water systems and making connections necessary to complete installation of a water treatment system.”

Water Treatment Equipment – Appliances used to alter or purify water or alter a mineral, or bacterial content or substance.

Water Treatment Specialist (WTS) – A person who is licensed to perform water treatment on a contractual basis.

Disinfection – A process to cleanse of pathogenic microorganisms.

Licensing Requirements

Water Treatment Specialist License Information

Water Treatment Specialist License Type & Level

Validity Period

Application Fee

Education Required

Experience Required

Training Required Exam Required

Class I Water

Treatment Specialist

3 Years $111 None None None Yes

Class II Water

Treatment Specialist

3 Years $111

Less than High School

Diploma High School diploma or

GED 1 Year of College

3 Years

2 Years

1 Year

Basic Water Conditioning Course

Yes

Class III Water

Treatment Specialist

3 Years $111

High School Diploma or

GED 2 years of

College Bachelor's

Degree

3 Years

2 Years

1 Year

Basic Water Conditioning Course and the Advanced

Water Conditioning Course

Yes

Disinfection Methods

• Boiling• Iodine• Chlorination• Solarization• UV Irradiation• Ozonation• Microfiltration• Ultrafiltration

Chlorination

• Kills most bacteria, viruses and fungi• Set-up and maintenance costs low• Residual free chlorine remains• Affected by organic matter loads• Affected by pH and temperature• Disinfection by-products remain• Cryptosporidium & Giardia are resistant

Solarization

The SODIS efficiency is dependent on the amount of solar energy available:• Expose the bottle to the sun for 6 hours if the sky is cloudless or up to 50% cloudy.• Expose the bottle to the sun for 2 consecutive days if the sky is more than 50% cloudy.• At a water temperature of at least 50°C (122°F), 1 hour exposure time is sufficient.• During days of continuous rainfall, SODIS does not perform satisfactorily. Rainwater harvesting or boiling is recommended during these days

UV Irradiation• Not affected by pH• Inexpensive and easy to install• Flow rate must be matched to unit• Flow pattern must keep chamber full• Water must be clear and free of suspended solids• Crystal sleeve/tube must be kept clean• UV bulb must be replaced annually• Does not affect algae• May not inactivate Giardia & Cryptosporidium• No residual

OzoneRecirculating System

Ozone

• Ozone is effective over a wide range of pH• Kills algae as well as microbes• Eliminates a variety of organic and inorganic compounds• Does not add chemicals• Limited residual• Could produce harmful by-products• May need ozone destructor post treatment• Escaping ozone is fire and toxicity hazard

Closed System

Micro & Ultra-filtration• Microfiltration is 0.2 micron absolute• Ultrafiltration is 0.02 micron absolute• Not affected by pH• No chemicals or by-products• Some loss of pressure• May need pre-treatment• No residual

Newer Technology

• Nanoalumina bonded to microglass fibers• Photodisinfection with very high intensity LED light• Electrolyzed water

Contact Info & Links

Texas Water Quality Association1904 San Houston Drive Phone: (361) 573-6707Victoria, TX 77901 Fax: (361) 575-7959email: [email protected] Website: http://twqa.org

SparkleTap Water Company 2951 Marina Bay Dr, #130-199 Phone: (281) 538-1430League City, TX 77573 Fax: (281) 334-1639 Website: http://www.sparkletap-rain.com email: [email protected]

blog: http://www.rainwaterharvestingtexas.com

2011 Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Competition GOLD MEDAL WINNER for PURIFIED WATER