Research Sought To Fully Understand The Effects Of A Viable Option For Wastewater Facilities Wanting To Convert From The Use Of Chlorine Gas

Alexandria, VA – The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) is seeking research proposals to examine the effects of peracetic acid (PAA) on aquatic life, on water- and wastewater-related processes, and to provide guidance on the use of PAA as a disinfection method. The research will be supported by WERF and the Upper Trinity Basin Water Quality Compact (made up of the Trinity River Authority of Texas, Fort Worth Water Department, North Texas Municipal Water District, and Dallas Water Utilities), Austin Water Utility, and El Paso Water Utilities. The research results will be a product of the Leaders Innovation Forum for Technology’s (LIFT’s) Disinfection Technology Focus Area.

PAA use for wastewater effluent disinfection is an emerging practice, and is of interest to many utilities seeking alternatives to the use of chlorine gas, sulfur dioxide gas, and sodium hypochlorite. During recent pilot studies of PAA, evaluations to determine its impacts on aquatic life were conducted. The results were not consistent and were considered inconclusive. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not have an approved test method for determining PAA residual in wastewater effluent. Also, the effects of PAA on unit processes downstream of secondary clarification (such as cloth media filters) have only been tested in the lab and not on a full-scale application. The project is titled Design and Implementation of Peracetic Acid for Municipal Water and Wastewater Related Processes (LIFT14T16). Proposals are due February 17, 2016. Additional information is available at www.werf.org.