AWWA WQTC60563

This paper describes an innovative portable continuous flow centrifuge (PCFC) that was developed and tested at TuftsUniversity sponsored by a grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)(STAR). The PCFC dimensions are 18 inches x 14 inches x 20 inches and weighs 30 lbs.It holds a disposable 250 mL bowl which produces a concentrate that is compatible with existing USEPA-approvedmethods for IMS-based purification and subsequent confirmation under epifluorescence microscopy.When tested at Mohawk Valley Water Authority (MVWA), PCFC recoveries for source water were 66.8% forGiardia and 60.1% for Cryptosporidium (n=5), a considerable improvement compared to filtration. The PCFC wasvalidated under Method 1623 Tier 1 validation. Recoveries of Cryptosporidium and Giardia from 15-liter volumes ofseeded reagent water were 36% and 37%, respectively. Recoveries for 15-liter of seeded source water samples were69% and 82%, respectively.At the completion of the optimization of the method under laboratory conditions, the PCFC was tested through Tier 2validation Alternative Test Procedure (ATP). This too was funded by the EPA STAR program. These studies wereperformed by 4 independent EPA approved laboratories, using 50-L source water samples. Tier 2 mean recoveryresults for Cryptosporidium (42.5% for spiked distilled water, 37.4% for spiked source) demonstrate that the PCFCmeets and exceeds the acceptance criteria for method 1623.The PCFC ATP is at the final phases of approval by USEPA. We believe the PCFC is a user-friendly, cost-effective,and much simplified alternative method of concentration of protozoa from large volumes of source water samplesunder LT2 monitoring. Includes 6 references, tables, figures.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

11/15/2004

Number of Pages:

13

File Size:

1 file