AWWA Launches New Hypochlorite Assessment Tool For Utilities

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) recently launched an innovative hypochlorite assessment tool for water utilities, allowing water managers to make important treatment decisions based on scientific modeling.

The tool will provide guidance on the expected levels of perchlorate and chlorate in stored bulk hypochlorite solutions. It is based on predictive algorithms derived from earlier research and local, user-defined inputs, including storage conditions, ionic strength, and ambient temperature.

AWWA developed the tool using findings of a joint AWWA and Water Research Foundation report titled "Hypochlorite - An Assessment of Factors that Influence the Formation of Perchlorate and Other Contaminants". The report found that perchlorate is present in hypochlorite solutions and continues to form at different rates depending on storage conditions, which may cause regulatory compliance issues for utilities.

To address such issues, the hypochlorite tool will help water utilities determine the appropriate storage-time/life-cycle for the hypochlorite solution, based on the expected rate of degradation and contaminant formation, while enabling them to manage supply and take other countermeasures to mitigate further degradation.

The full hypochlorite tool is available exclusively to AWWA utility members. For more information, visit www.awwa.org/hypochlorite.

About The American Water Works Association
AWWA is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water in North America and beyond. AWWA is the largest organization of water professionals in the world. AWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum of the entire water community. Through our collective strength we become better stewards of water for the greatest good of the people and the environment.

SOURCE: The American Water Works Association