Arsenic Removal Technology
 Demonstration Program

This full-scale treatment demonstration program evaluates cost-effective technologies to help small water systems meet the arsenic standard. Recognizing that the arsenic rule can be an economic burden to small water systems, program research was specifically geared toward establishing, testing, and demonstrating effective arsenic technologies that are low in cost. The demonstrations:

• Evaluate cost-effectiveness relative to existing technologies
• Gauge the simplicity of operation
• Evaluate the effectiveness of arsenic treatment technologies under varying water quality conditions
• Compare reliability
• Document operation and maintenance needs
• Characterize arsenic wastes and residuals
• Evaluate management practices

The goal of the program is to provide information on arsenic treatment technologies to water systems, engineering firms, regulatory officials, and others impacted by the arsenic standard.

When the new arsenic drinking water standard was announced, EPA committed to providing an extensive research and technical assistance program to assist small communities meet the revised maximum contaminant limit of 10 micrograms per liter. The centerpiece of the program is full-scale demonstration of commercial-ready arsenic treatment technologies at water systems across the country. The treatment systems are installed, and performance evaluation studies are conducted for a minimum of one year to determine the cost and performance of the systems. The average cost of each demonstration project, including the full-scale treatment system and the performance evaluation study, is $500,000.

Stages on R&D Continuum: Demonstration, Verification, Diffusion and Utilization

EPA Goal: Water – drinking water treatment

Type of Support Provided: Full-scale demonstration and performance evaluation

Funding: Programs with $1 million to $10 million per year

Responsible EPA Office: Office of Research and Development (ORD)

See Also

Arsenic Treatment Technologies