Pilot Testing

Pilot Testing Services Available Through the Walkerton Clean Water Centre

Since 2007, the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) has conducted pilot tests to help drinking water professionals better understand source water characteristics, treatment process performance and alternative treatment options. WCWC recently followed up with a former pilot testing client to learn about their progress since the project was completed.

When the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) of arsenic in Ontario drinking water was lowered from 25 μg/L to 10 μg/L in January 2018, the Town of Shelburne, Ontario was faced with a challenge. Naturally occurring arsenic levels in Well 3 were hovering around the new MAC, with some samples exceeding the limit. Because Well 3 supplies approximately 13 per cent of the town’s total water supply, decommissioning it permanently was not feasible as the town would not be able to meet forecasted water demand. The town reached out to WCWC to explore options to address arsenic in the groundwater supply.

WCWC conducted bench-scale jar tests and pilot-scale experiments to compare adsorptive media and cartridge filters. The pilot project had excellent results showing 95–98 per cent reduction in arsenic levels with the use of adsorptive media.

WCWC shares pilot project results with each client and discusses the results with the drinking water professionals who may use the information to support decision-making or in discussions with engineering consultants. The town used the results of the pilot project in the detailed design for the Well 3 upgrade project. Currently, the town is reviewing submissions for the construction that they hope will begin later this year, with completion in 2024.

WCWC would like to congratulate the staff at the town for their dedication to maintaining safe drinking water for their community.

WCWC has years of pilot testing experience in areas such as natural organic matter removal, disinfection by-product control, iron and manganese treatment and coagulant optimization. To learn more about WCWC’s pilot testing services, please visit https://wcwc.ca/services/pilot-testing/ or contact us at 866-515-0550. You can also access full project reports through WCWC’s Drinking Water Resource Library at www.DrinkingWaterResourceLibrary.ca.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS AT THE TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION FACILITY

The upgrades will expand the Walkerton Clean Water Centre’s pilot-testing capabilities

The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) recently completed several upgrades in the Technology Demonstration Facility to expand its pilot-testing capabilities.

New Incubator and Refrigerator

The purchase of a new incubator will allow WCWC to store water samples at a precise temperature, accurately mimicking real-life conditions for simulated distribution system testing. An additional laboratory refrigerator will allow WCWC to store larger volumes of sample water, something that has been critical as WCWC continues to take on more pilot- and bench-scale projects.

Rapid Small Scale Column Test

WCWC recently constructed a rapid small scale column test (RSSCT) apparatus that will allow staff to quantify contaminant treatment and estimate adsorption capacity of media in a shortened timeframe while using much less water. Using a scaled filter bed with ground down media, the long-term treatment effectiveness and lifespan of filter media can be estimated. The RSSCT has already been in great demand and produced reliable results. Work is underway to construct a second RSSCT unit, which will enable WCWC to run multiple tests simultaneously.

Stirred Cell

WCWC has procured two new stirred cell test units, which will enable proof-of-concept testing on ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis membranes. Stirred cells are scaled membrane filtration systems used for bench-scale testing. These units use pressurized nitrogen gas to move sample water through the membrane, something previously unachievable on the bench-scale due to extremely small membrane pore sizes. The stirred cell test units have successfully been used in pilot testing projects and upgrades are underway to allow the use of higher-pressure nitrogen gas lines to run nanofiltration tests.

Ion Chromatography

A new ion chromatography (IC) machine had been installed in the laboratory. Ion chromatography is the measurement of ionic species (anions and cations) in a sample volume. The IC machine is capable of testing 15 water quality parameters (fluoride, chloride, nitrite, nitrate, sulfate, bromide, ortho-phosphate, bromate, chlorate, chlorite, sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium). WCWC had performed traditional wet chemistry tests for some of these parameters and outsourced others. Use of the IC machine will result in significant time and cost savings, while yielding more precise results. The ability to perform IC on-site will provide WCWC with a wealth of information regarding the composition of source water and allow it to perform pilot- and bench-scale testing more effectively.

These exciting new additions will help WCWC better serve the needs of Ontario’s communities as they look to optimize and improve their drinking water systems.

Using Pilot Tests to Optimize Drinking Water Treatment Processes

WCWC’s pilot tests continue to help clients optimize their drinking water treatment processes. Holly Sun, who recently joined the WCWC team as a Scientist, tells us more about pilot testing with WCWC.

1. Why conduct a pilot test?

A pilot test is a small-scale practical study to evaluate the feasibility or performance of water treatment strategies and their effects on drinking water quality. These projects can help you address concerns related to health-based, operational, or aesthetic drinking water quality parameters.

2. Where are pilot tests conducted?

Pilot tests can be completed at a client’s site or at the WCWC Technology Demonstration Facility, which features conventional and advanced drinking water treatment and control technologies, such as dissolved air flotation, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, fixed bed and magnetic ion exchange, slow sand filtration, ozonation, ultraviolet light and advanced oxidation processes.

3. How much experience do you have?

WCWC has years of pilot testing experience in areas such as optimizing coagulant doses, reducing disinfection by-products, iron and manganese, natural organic matter, arsenic, taste and odour, aluminum, and organics.

4. What pilot tests are you currently working on?

One project that I am currently working on is to reduce arsenic from a groundwater source. Arsenic is a type of inorganic found in water. It is a proven carcinogenic that can cause skin, lung, and bladder cancer. Arsenic in water mostly comes from natural deposits in the earth. Therefore, arsenic is sometimes found at higher levels in groundwater in hard rock areas through the natural dissolution of arsenic containing minerals. For arsenic contamination, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has set the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) at 10 µg/L for arsenic on January 1, 2018, reduced from the previous MAC of 25 µg/L. Our client uses groundwater as source water for their drinking water system. Arsenic levels in their raw water have historically been 5-12 µg/L. The high arsenic level is a big concern; therefore, our client contacted WCWC for potential pilot testing to reduce arsenic in their raw water. A series of jar testing and pilot testing will be conducted on-site using two to three selected technologies/processes to reduce the arsenic.

5. How do I start a pilot test for my drinking water system?

To learn more about pilot testing with WCWC, or to request pilot testing for your drinking water system, please visit wcwc.ca/services/pilot-testing/ or contact us at 866-515-0550.

Using Pilot Testing to Address Drinking Water Concerns in First Nations Communities

The Walkerton Clean Water Centre has completed 13 pilot testing projects with First Nations clients to empower them to improve their drinking water

Since 2017 the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) has completed 13 pilot testing projects to help First Nations communities improve the quality of their drinking water, and in some cases, help lift the long-term drinking water advisories that have been in place for many years.

Work on a Pilot Testing Project with the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation

First Nations clients have reached out to WCWC for help with pilot testing projects — small-scale and larger practical studies to evaluate the feasibility or performance of water treatment strategies and their effects on water quality. Pilot testing projects can address health-based, operational, or aesthetic water quality parameters. These projects can be completed at a client’s site or at the Technology Demonstration Facility in Walkerton, Ontario.

WCWC’s state-of-the-art Technology Demonstration Facility features the latest conventional and advanced water treatment and control technologies, Some of the pilot treatment units available include: dissolved air flotation; ultrafiltration; nanofiltration; reverse osmosis; fixed bed and magnetic ion exchange; slow sand filtration; ozone; ultraviolet light; and advanced oxidation processes.

WCWC provides clients with preliminary data throughout each project and once the project is complete, a detailed report, which is also available on WCWC’s Drinking Water Resource Library at DrinkingWaterResourceLibrary.ca is published. Clients may use the project results with engineering consultants in the selection and design of appropriate treatment systems.

WCWC has years of pilot testing experience in areas such as disinfection by-products (DBPs), iron and manganese treatment, natural organic matter, arsenic and coagulation. To learn more about how WCWC’s pilot testing services can help you optimize your water system, please visit wcwc.ca/services/pilot-testing/ or contact us at 866-515-0550.

WCWC Launches New Remote Monitoring System

WCWC launched a new remote monitoring system. Geordie Gauld, Technician, tells us more about how the new system will assist with pilot testing projects to support water system owners, operators and operating authorities.

What exactly is the new remote monitoring system? How does it work?
Essentially, this is a small-scale Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system with cellular connectivity. It operates on many of the same principles as the monitoring and control system at a full-scale water treatment facility. A simple programmable logic controller (PLC) will take in process signals from the pilot plant, including parameters like water pressure, flow, turbidity, pH, etc. Using these inputs, we can observe system statuses, compile datasets, and generate historical trends from right here at WCWC.

How will this benefit pilot testing projects?
It can be challenging to gather complete data from our pilot testing communities. Many are in remote regions and we cannot stay onsite for weeks to manually gather data. Operators are also very busy running their own facilities and don’t have the time to manually sample and collect the data we need and get it into our hands. This system will allow us to collect complete datasets with little to no input from operators. Complete data will lead to a more effective pilot testing process and allow WCWC and the facility owner to make more informed decisions regarding the direction of the pilot testing project, no matter where the owner’s plant is located.

Being able to view the status of the system in real-time will also allow us to confirm things are running as they should be. An undetected failure in the pilot plant can render large sets of data incomplete or inaccurate and delay the overall progress of the pilot testing project.

How is one monitoring system going to be effective for multiple pilot testing projects that may have many different requirements?
By reviewing the configurations of previous pilot testing projects, we were able to compile a list of modular hardware requirements we felt would be most useful. This allowed us to wire and pre-program the unit for common configurations with the ability to use or omit certain features as desired. This approach will allow us a great deal of flexibility working with different treatment strategies and arrangements. In our hardware selection we also allowed for several “spare” inputs which will allow us to expand our capabilities in the future.

For more information about WCWC’s pilot testing services, please visit www.wcwc.ca/services/pilot-testing/ or contact us at 866-515-0550.

WCWC Technology Demonstration Facility

WCWC operates a state-of-the-art Technology Demonstration Facility in Walkerton, Ontario. Geoff Graham, Technician, explains how the Technology Demonstration Facility is used to provide education, information and advice in support of our clients.  

 1. What is the Technology Demonstration Facility?

The Technology Demonstration Facility is a unique platform for hands-on training and pilot testing projects for the water industry. The idea is to showcase as well as test the wide variety of equipment and processes used throughout Ontario. WCWC provides tours of the Technology Demonstration Facility to share information about the equipment and operational requirements necessary to ensure drinking water is safe.

2. What equipment is there?

The Technology Demonstration Facility features the latest conventional and advanced water treatment and control technologies, laboratory, and model distribution systems. Some of the pilot treatment units available include: dissolved air flotation; ultrafiltration; nanofiltration; reverse osmosis; fixed bed and magnetic ion exchange; slow sand filtration; ozone; ultraviolet light; and advanced oxidation processes. There is also a variety of fire hydrants and other water distribution equipment to allow demonstrations and training of operators in a controlled and safe environment.

3. How is the Technology Demonstration Facility used for pilot testing projects?

A WCWC pilot testing project is a small-scale practical study to evaluate feasibility, duration, or performance of a water treatment strategy and its effect on water quality. This can include bench or pilot-scale projects that may address multiple water quality parameters. These projects can be completed on-site or at the Technology Demonstration Facility. We have the capability to store a large volume of water on site which can then be fed through one or more water treatment processes to evaluate the treatment effectiveness.

For more information about the Technology Demonstration Facility, or to schedule a tour, contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.

Walkerton Clean Water Centre Pilot Testing Success

The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) recently completed a pilot testing project with the Township of Tay to address seasonal taste and odour events.

Staff from WCWC and the Township of Tay review the set-up and operation of the on-site pilot plant

The community has been experiencing seasonal taste and odour events, such as geosmin and methyl-isoborneol (MIB) in the raw and treated water. The community’s ultrafilter effluent was used to test an advanced oxidation process (AOP) (high UV dose + hydrogen peroxide) and granular activated carbon (GAC) to reduce taste and odour compounds. WCWC confirmed that both AOP and GAC removed the taste and odour compounds to below the odour threshold; however, additional chlorine was needed after the AOP process. The township and engineering consultant will use the results to select the appropriate treatment for their system upgrades.

WCWC conducts pilot tests for clients to enhance their understanding of source water characteristics and the performance of treatment processes and alternative treatment options. Bench or pilot scale projects can be undertaken at a client’s location or at the Technology Demonstration Facility in Walkerton.

WCWC has years of pilot testing experience in areas such as natural organic matter, disinfection by-products, iron and manganese treatment, arsenic, and coagulation. Pilot testing reports are available on WCWC’s Drinking Water Resource Library at www.DrinkingWaterResourceLibrary.ca, which is a free online portal that assists drinking water professionals find information on various topics.

To learn more about WCWC’s pilot testing services, please visit wcwc.ca/pilot-testing/ or contact us at 866-515-0550.

Pilot Testing Project Helps Address Long-Term Boil Water Advisory

The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) recently completed a pilot testing project with Wauzhushk Onigum Nation, helping the community address a long-term boil water advisory that has been in place since 2012.

Wauzhushk Onigum Nation is located on Lake of the Woods in Northwestern Ontario. The lake water has high organics and colour making it a challenging water source for satisfying the requirements of UV disinfection. Before implementing decentralized point-of-entry (POE) systems for a portion of the community, Wauzhushk Onigum Nation worked with WCWC on a pilot testing project. WCWC tested POE technologies for effectiveness in removing turbidity and organics in order to improve UV disinfection. The test results were shared with consultants in the design of the decentralized water systems.

WCWC conducts pilot tests for clients to enhance their understanding of source water characteristics and the performance of treatment processes and alternative treatment options. Bench or pilot scale projects can be undertaken at a client’s location or at the Technology Demonstration Facility in Walkerton.

WCWC has years of pilot testing experience in areas such as natural organic matter, disinfection by-products, iron and manganese treatment, arsenic, and coagulation. Completed pilot testing reports are available on WCWC’s Drinking Water Resource Library, which is a free online portal that assists drinking water professionals in finding information on various topics.

To learn more about WCWC’s pilot testing services, please visit https://wcwc.ca/services/pilot-testing/ or contact us at 866-515-0550.

Pilot Testing At WCWC

Are you curious about pilot testing? Devendra Borikar, Technology Demonstration Lead, and Jeff Avedesian, Acting Scientist, answer common questions about WCWC’s pilot testing program:

What is pilot testing?

A WCWC pilot project is a small-scale practical study conducted in order to evaluate feasibility, duration, or performance of a water treatment strategy and its effect on water quality. This can include bench or pilot-scale projects that may address health based, operational, or aesthetic water quality parameters.

What kind of projects have you done in the past?

WCWC has completed pilots that addressed cyanotoxins and cyanobacteria, arsenic, manganese, trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, aluminum, dissolved organic carbon, chlorine, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, iron, and sulfates using various specific strategies. WCWC can also provide information to owners, operators and other decision-makers in the form of a literature review for the purpose of making educated and informed decisions.

Is the work done in Walkerton or at my site?

The work can be completed either on-site or at the WCWC Technology Demonstration Facility depending on site-specific conditions.

What do you do with the results?

WCWC provides the owner and operating authority with preliminary data throughout the pilot, a detailed report and treatment recommendations. With the permission of the client, WCWC may choose to present the study at conferences and tradeshows, and may include results from the project in future training materials.

To learn more about WCWC’s pilot testing services, please visit wcwc.ca/pilottesting or contact Devendra Borikar at dborikar@wcwc.ca or 1-866-515-0550 ext. 313.

WCWC Pilot Testing Program

The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) provides information and education to Ontario’s owners, operators, operating authorities and First Nations drinking water systems. Through this pilot testing program, relevant information is provided to enhance our clients’ understanding of source water quality and the performance of current treatment and possible alternative options.Under the program WCWC sets up […]