Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District In California Pilots Aqua Metrology Systems' SafeGuard H₂O Chromium Remediation System

Aqua Metrology Systems (AMS) announced the pilot demonstration of its SafeGuard H₂O HexavalentChromium [Cr (VI)] remediation system at California’s Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District (HVLCSD). Real-time data on the system’s performance will be streamed live, providing transparency of the pilot study and treatment efficacy of the technology.

SafeGuard H₂O is an intelligent water system that has been specifically developed to help drive down the costs of improving water quality supplies by providing an accurate and affordable Cr (VI) remediation system. The system generates a stannous ion reagent in-situ via an electrolytic process and has been proven to remove Cr (VI) to less than 2 parts per billion (ppb) under challenging conditions with high levels of contamination.

The technology features an online Cr (VI) analyzer to control and monitor system performance, in real time, making the system an ideal solution for remote wells since unattended operation is possible for upwards of three months. Traditional treatment systems cannot operate unattended and have significant capital and operating costs when factoring in chemical handling and waste disposal costs. As such, they are out of the reach of many communities with Cr (VI) contamination — systems can cost USD$2M or more, making them an unattractive option.

With the SafeGuard H₂O system, utilities now have an easy to operate, affordable and reliable Cr (VI) remediation system. Systems that were previously shut down for exceeding the existing regulatory limit can be brought back online with this reliable and economical solution, thereby increasing water resources and their ability to meet local demand. According to Rick Bacon, CEO of AMS, the technology also has some unique features allowing for “Lean Piloting,” which enables systems looking for Cr (VI) treatment options to access the treatment efficacy of the SafeGuard H₂O system in a timely manner.

“We can demonstrate at scale using a fraction of the eventual volume/flow to be treated,” Bacon said. “The advantages of this are that the pilot has a small footprint, can be deployed rapidly, monitored remotely and does not require having personnel onsite for supervision. All that provides for much faster time to results at much lower costs. ‘Lean Piloting’ ensures that a far larger proportion of public funding for water quality improvement is available for final projects rather than being absorbed by expensive demonstration pilots before the full-scale project ever goes ‘live’. Faster results will reduce time-to-adoption which is a critical determinant of the financial viability of technology start-ups in this market”.

The HVLCSD pilot site is located in Middletown, Calif. It has a Cr (VI) level of 18-22 ppb with a well output of 1,100 gallons per minute (gpm). This pilot will study the efficacy of the SafeGuard H₂O technology to continuously reduce Cr (VI) to below 10 ppb.

Kirk Cloyd, General Manager of HVLCSD added, “[The district] values innovative technologies addressing Cr (VI) remediation and takes a proactive and transparent approach when piloting new systems. [The district] fully supports AMS’ effort to improve water quality through the commercialization of a reliable, yet affordable chromium remediation system. No matter the outcome of the pilot study, it shows that those with an entrepreneurial attitude are accepting the challenge to make a positive difference in the industry and the health of the public.”