Challenge

In 2005, Siemens Water Technologies, formerly USFilter, received an award from a Massachusetts municipal water supplier to provide the first, full-scale perchlorate removal ion exchange system to be installed in the eastern US. 

In a statewide survey of municipal wells, the two wells in question were found to have perchlorate concentration levels averaging 15 and 46 ppb (respectively) which exceeded the State of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP) Public Health Goal limits of non-detectable levels (<1 ppb) in the effluent.

Solution

The Siemens treatment system features single-use ion exchange technology and treats up to 1500 gpm of perchlorate contaminated groundwater from the two wells. These single use resins are highly selective for perchlorate, and complete destruction of the perchlorate ion can be accomplished through incineration of the spent resin.

Results

The use of perchlorate selective resins has been found to significantly reduce the operational costs associated with ion exchange. 

The Siemens solution enabled the water provider to use the two wells which had formerly been closed. The City was able to meet the MA DEP perchlorate effluent limits and also eliminated the requirement to purchase
water from a neighboring town.

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