Electrochemically Generated Oxidant Disinfection in the Use of Individual Water Purification Devices

Abstract

PURPOSEThis information paper provides an in-depth review of on-site electrochemically generated oxidants (EGO) as a disinfectant in potable water supplies. This paper is intended to assist the reader in evaluating the disinfection capabilities of Individual Water Purification Devices (IWPDs) using EGO to kill or inactivate disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoan cysts. REFERENCESAppendix A contains a list of references. INTRODUCTION BackgroundUnderstanding the disinfection capabilities of EGO to kill or inactivate disease-causing microorganisms is important in protecting Soldiers, who are considering using this technology, from acute health threats posed by these microorganisms. Soldiers deployed beyond traditional field drinking water supplies must have access to microbiologically safe water. Using IWPDs is one way to provide microbiologically safe water in these situations. These IWPDs must protect the Soldier from acute microbial health threats. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guide Standard and Protocol for Testing Microbiological Water Purifiers (reference 1) provides performance standards by which an IWPD using EGO can be evaluated. The performance standards are a minimum 6-log reduction/inactivation of bacteria, 4-log reduction/inactivation of viruses, and 3-log reduction/inactivation of protozoan cysts (typically Giardia or Cryptosporidium). EGO-using IWPDs meeting these standards are considered effective against disease causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoan cysts. Some IWPD manufacturers test their devices using this protocol. This is the best way to evaluate the IWPDs disinfection capabilities. In the absence of that testing data, this information paper can be used to gain an understanding of EGO disinfection capabilities and help determine if an IWPD using EGO technology could successfully meet the EPA Guide's minimum performance standards. GeneralElectrochemically generated oxidant technology is well established. The technology dates back to the 1930's when it was primarily used for the disinfection of swimming pools (reference 2). Additionally, it is also extensively used in the wastewater and drinking water industries and has more recently been utilized in the food and agricultural industry (reference 3). Currently, there is only one Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) IWPD product using EGO technology. Report Documentation PageForm Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other prov...