News | September 3, 2008

Dow Ultrafiltration Membrane Systems Receive Alternative Filtration Technology Certification

Edina, MN — Dow Water Solutions, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) and a global leader in water purification, seawater desalination, contamination removal and water reuse solutions, announces the acceptance of DOW™ Ultrafiltration membrane modules for drinking water applications. The approval certifies the Dow Ultrafiltration (UF) Module as an Alternative Filtration Technology for treating drinking water. DOW UF modules are used as the core of a complete and well designed, constructed, and operated filtration system for converting surface waters into safe drinking water.

DOW UF has been tested and certified under the California Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), as well as the federal Long Term 1 and Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rules (LT1ESWTR, LT2ESWTR). Testing demonstrated the effectiveness of DOW UF in removing harmful pathogens from water and the operational integrity of the modules.

DOW Ultrafiltration's benefits to the water treatment industry include:

  • Ultimate barrier for removing suspended solids and pathogens.
  • Pressurized, outside-in flow configuration to handle high-suspended solids, minimizing pre-treatment and lowering capital cost.
  • Hydrophilic, PVDF double-wall hollow fibers reduce fouling, have excellent chemical resistance and strength, resulting in durable, long membrane life.
  • Fine pores (0.03 um) effectively remove pathogens, most viruses, bacteria, colloids, silt, and other suspended matter ensuring long-term stable operation.

The certification procedure includes an audit of a membrane system's performance characteristics, and product testing including challenge testing with surrogate particles and viruses according to the protocols in the California SWTR standards.

About Dow Water Solutions
Dow Water Solutions is a performance-based business unit comprised of world-class brands and enabling component technologies designed to advance the science of water purification around the world, including seawater desalination, contaminant removal and water reuse. With more than 1,000 employees worldwide, the business maintains five production facilities globally to manufacture, market and sell reverse osmosis membranes, ion exchange resins, titanium-based arsenic removal media, ultrafiltration, and electrodeionization components. Dow Water Solutions also manufactures, markets and sells premier water purification systems in China.

About Dow
With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

SOURCE: Dow Water Solutions