The Water Council’s Pilot Program fuels the future of water innovation by enabling promising, small-scale applications nearing market introduction the ability to test and then apply system, cost and operational details to full-scale water systems, paving the path to commercialization. Kicking off the Pilot Program’s fifth round, four new solutions are this year destined for in-field testing at various demonstrations sites through the Pilot Program.
In this Q&A featuring DMR International, or DMRI, get the inside scoop from Rick Latella about their novel solution that captures bacteria in stormwater runoff, leading to cleaner rivers, lakes, streams and ponds.
Q: First, where do DMRI’s solutions fit in the water industry?
Rick: We’ve developed several complementary antimicrobial solutions to reduce pathogens in water systems. This includes NOVEX-AMGTM, a novel antimicrobial additive system for use in numerous types of polymeric hosts, which can be copper- or zinc-based. We’ve also developed PurAsure™, a water filter media using NOVEX-AMGTM in polymer and/or ceramic hosts to reduce pathogens in water systems.
As part of our R&D, products containing NOVEX-AMGTM have been tested by third-party laboratories with demonstrated efficacies of greater than 99.999% reductions in pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis. Test protocols included JIS Z 2801, AATCC100, and ASTM E1153. Zone of Inhibition (Kirby-Bauer Test) testing was performed to demonstrate the lack of leaching. Water purification studies have also been performed by the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UWW), demonstrating reductions in waterborne pathogens using PurAsure™ water filter media.
Q: What makes DMRI’s solutionS UNIQUE?
Rick: Our PurAsure™ Pellets or Ceramics for use in stormwater systems are uniquely created by DMRI’s patented process that homogeneously incorporates NOVEX-AMG™ to a variety of host polymer or ceramic material systems without requiring secondary operations, such as dipping or spray coating.
Following incorporation, NOVEX-AMG™ does not leach from the polymer host, which enables PurAsure™ to have long-term efficacy. Additionally, since the NOVEX-AMG™ does not leach into the water stream, PurAsure™ Pellets or Ceramics will not burden rivers, streams, ponds, lakes or oceans with unnecessary chemicals, which can interrupt natural ecosystems.
Q: What challenge is your pilot looking to solve?
Rick: We’re focused on reducing or eliminating Coliform bacteria in stormwater drains to prevent such contamination from entering downstream waterways, such as rivers, streams, ponds and lakes.
Q: What does participation in the Pilot Program mean to you?
Rick: We are honored to have the opportunity to demonstrate our water purification technology in a real-world situation. The results of this pilot will enable us to contribute to a more sustainable water ecosystem, so we’re really excited about that.
Q: As a member of The Water Council, what’s most contributed to your overall success?
Rick: For us, it’s definitely access to strategic introductions and the opportunity to network with companies and stakeholders. As a result, we’ve been able to capitalize on these introductions by identifying partners, realizing opportunities and providing solutions that we would not have been able to uncover on our own.
Rick Latella, demonstrating DMRI’sPurAsure™ Pellet Cartridge, developed to reduce living organisms in drinking water.
“The technology proposed by DMR International has the potential to help reduce the biggest remaining threat to rivers and lakes across the country, polluted stormwater runoff.” — Matt Magruder, MMSD Environmental Research Manager
PILOT PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY THESE OUTSTANDING WATER STEWARDS
