Arsenic contamination of groundwater is a problem facing many areas of the United States and the rest of the world. This problem has been highlighted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency?s decision to mandate reductions in the acceptable level of arsenic in drinking water from 50 ppb to 10 ppb by the year 2006. In South Dakota alone, 18.6 percent of small and rural water supply systems will not be in compliance with this mandate. Current technologies do not cost-effectively treat these small drinking water systems. Urgent action is needed to address this problem. HydroTech Engineering proposes a method to resolve this problem with a unique and potentially cost-effective methodology to remove arsenic from drinking water. Recent advances by HydroTech Engineering have shown the feasibility of this procedure and the principal scientists involved are in the process of patenting the technology. HydroTech Engineering has outlined a comprehensive Phase I project for the reduction of arsenic in drinking water using a limestone-based material, with testing and evaluation of removal characteristics according to established procedures. This project could not only solve the arsenic contamination problem facing rural South Dakota and other areas of the United States, but also could represent a billion-dollar worldwide industry. Supplemental
Keywords: small business, SBIR, EPA, drinking water, arsenic, water supply systems, limestone, contamination. , Geographic Area, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Water, Analytical Chemistry, Arsenic, Drinking Water, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Monitoring, State, Safe Drinking Water, South Dakota, arsenic exposure, arsenic removal, chemical contaminants, community water system, contaminant removal, drinking water system, drinking water contaminants, drinking water treatment, groundwater, limestone-based material, monitoring, public water systems, risk management, treatment
