EPA and The Walkerton Clean Water Centre

An International Collaboration Tests a Water Treatment Pilot

EPA’s Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response (CESER) teamed up with the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) in Ontario, Canada, to pilot a patented EPA technology to treat drinking water.  Groundwater in the Ontario, Canada area has naturally occurring ammonia, leading to nitrification in the distribution system.

Nitrification causes distribution system water quality issues, such as potential corrosion problems, oxidant demand, taste and odor complaints, and elevated nitrite levels.  The complete oxidation of source water ammonia prior to or as part of the water treatment process eliminates the potential negative impacts on treatment effectiveness and nitrification on distribution system water quality.

 To combat high source water ammonia, EPA/CESER researchers patented a process (U.S. Patent No. 8029674, Lytle, 2013) and a Portable Evaluation Pilot Skid (PEPS) (U. S. Patent No. 9914654, Williams, 2018) to oxidize ammonia. Through a Materials Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, CESER experts delivered their patented portable evaluation pilot skid to the WCWC in Ontario in early 2024.  CESER staff worked with local Township and WCWC staff to install the system, provided training on daily operations and sample collection, and continue to offer support under this agreement. 

This project will result in a sustainable treatment option for the Township of Hamilton that will reduce chemical use and minimize drinking water distribution systems maintenance.

The data received thus far show a reduction in source ammonia, complete removal of manganese, and low finished turbidity.  The next steps are to challenge the system by increasing feed rates, increasing filter backwash frequency, removing chemical feed, and monitoring seasonal water temperature changes.  The project will continue for at least a year.

The expectation for the project is that it will result in a sustainable treatment option for the Township of Hamilton that will reduce chemical use and minimize drinking water distribution systems maintenance. The project both helps the Township to test this innovative, cost-effective treatment process, and provides CESER with valuable, real-world data on the technology’s functionality.