Challenge

In July 2005, Siemens Water Technologies was contracted by the Harvard Ridge Condominimum Association located in Boxborough, Massachusetts to provide a treatment solution for their perchlorate contaminated community swimming pool.  The 130,000 gallon capacity pool recorded readings of up to 1800 ug/l of perchlorate. Further, adjoining properties were also notified of the presence of perchlorate in their well system.

Solution

Siemens' solution for both the condominium complex and adjacent residential properties was to install temporary, service ion exchange vessels.  The service vessels contained perchlorate selective ion exchange resins.  Once the resin is exhausted, the resin is removed and transported for thermal destruction, thus eliminating the potential for re-contamination.

Temporary service vessels were used in combination with the community pool's exisiting filtration system to recirculate the pool water and remove the perchlorate.  The contaminated wells also utilized the service ion exchange solution which not only removed the perchlorate but also met very limited space requirements and completely eliminated the need for a permanent, capital equipment investment.

Results

This is the first-known perchlorate cleanup conducted in the State of Massachusetts.  The USFilter service-based solution provided a rapid response to the customer's need and also eliminated any additional customer disposal/handling of the contaminated water.  This was of particular concern to this customer since the complex is on a septic system rather than city sewers.

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