State Barriers to Approval of Drinking Water Technologies for Small Systems

Abstract

One perceived barrier to the implementation of new technologies in small drinking water systems is obtaining state regulatory agency approval. To investigate barriers as well as acceptance program status, experiences with new technologies, data needs for technology approval, and interest in a shared approach to acceptance of new technologies, a survey was sent to state regulatory agencies. The survey confirmed that new technologies for small systems are rarely considered by agencies. Key barriers encountered by states include an overall lack of staff time and training, insufficient data from vendors (including appropriate pilot test data), and lack of independent verification and certification. It was also found that some “emerging” technologies are more common than previously realized and that most states are interested in sharing data and are willing to collaborate to collect and evaluate performance data for new technologies. The next step is to identify how to share information nationwide.

Riverbank Filtration Impacts on Post Disinfection Water Quality in Small Systems—A Case Study from Auburn and Nebraska City, Nebraska

“…RBF represented a potentially effective option to reduce the production of THMs in small systems. The occurrence of THMs in small systems represents a challenge for local water utilities [2,15,49]. For example, Hua et al [2], investigating three small drinking water systems in rural Missouri using groundwater, surface water, and reservoir water as source water reported high levels of THMs (>80 µg L −1 ) in finished water.…”

“…For example, Hua et al, investigating three small drinking water systems in rural communities in Missouri, observed consistently higher THMs in finished water than the MCL (80 µg L −1 ) [2]. Nationally, it has been identified that small systems using surface waters experience three times the rate of Stage 1 DBP violations than systems that serve populations above 10,000 [15]. Therefore, there is a need to provide cost-effective solutions to improve the source of water by reducing its variations and lowering its level of organic carbon.…”

“…The use of groundwater in many areas (e.g., Nebraska) can be an issue due to high levels of nitrate (>MCL, 10 mg L −1 [24]) [25][26][27][28]. State regulatory agencies frequently request case studies for the application of technologies to address specific regulations before approving plans and funding [29]. There is a scarcity of research in small communities about how water produced from RBF wells or SSF affects the formation and subsequent fate of DBPs when chlorine or chloramines are used as disinfectants.…”

¿Cómo puede la regulación impulsar la innovación?: regulación habilitadora para la innovación en el sector agua, saneamiento y residuos sólidos de América Latina y el Caribe

“…i Compartir información relacionada con la innovación Concepto. El escaso acceso a la información que los prestadores de servicios de AyS tienen por sus propios medios, así como a través de sus proveedores, o el riesgo de que estos últimos resulten poco serios pueden influir en su aversión al riesgo y aumentar la barrera para la innovación sectorial, principalmente en los prestadores de menor tamaño (Ringenberg, 2017). Por ello, es fundamental compartir información, por ejemplo, a través de una red de intercambio que permita proporcionar datos de estudios realizados en otras zonas geográficas (provincias, estados, etc.…”