Small Municipal Water Systems

As our surface water supply becomes increasingly polluted and difficult to treat, the use of groundwater will continue to increase. Every day, 80 billion gallons of water is withdrawn from aquifers for a variety of uses, including human consumption. 90 percent of the fresh water supply is underground, yet only 20 percent of the water used is from groundwater. Small community water treatment operators, limited in resources and finances necessary to meet the EPA’s stringent and ever changing Surface Water Treatment Rule, are leading the way towards increased use of ground water.

Groundwater is renewable and reliable when used appropriately. Deep-drilled wells can recharge themselves, providing a steady supply of water that will not fluctuate with atmospheric changes. As ground water moves downward to aquifers, it dissolves minerals it contacts. Those dissolved minerals give groundwater its chemical character and quality. Some undesirable qualities such as dissolved iron, manganese, or sulfides, can cause aesthetic problems such as staining or odor. Other compounds like arsenic, cyanide, or nitrites can have serious health implications.

In small community water treatment systems, ozone is increasingly being used as a chemical oxidant in the early stages of water treatment to oxidize organic and inorganic contaminants. Ozone works faster than any other oxidant currently used in water treatment and results in the formation of fewer undesirable byproducts. Many organics will be completely oxidized, while inorganics readily precipitate for simple filtration. The oxidation of organic compounds can lead to many benefits including color removal, taste, odor, and algae control.

If membrane filtration is used as the primary treatment option, partial oxidation of organics can result in micro flocculation aiding filtration of compounds that can lead to THM formation. Pre-treatment with ozone will enhance feed water quality to your filtration membranes, allowing for longer filter life and superior product water.

Even with increased awareness of ozone as a viable groundwater treatment alternative, few manufacturers are capable of offering expert sizing assistance, engineering, and technical support necessary to design and size the proper ozone system to fit your needs. Many plant operators have been unable to keep up with the myriad of changes brought about by industry growth. Piper Environmental Group, Inc., Inc. has utilized ozone since 1993 with demonstrated success in providing service and application expertise. As an ozone system integrator, we evaluate your needs to design the proper ozone system for your specific small community water treatment system.

Ground water treatment plants are often limited by the capabilities of “cookie cutter, one size fits all” ozone systems. Let Piper Environmental Group, Inc., Inc. design the correct ozone system to meet your water treatment goals.

Ozone Advantages for Municipal Water

• Strongest single oxidizing agent available - 152% stronger than chlorine over abroad pH range
• Generated on site - no transportation, handling or disinfection by products (DBP’s) formation
• No residual in plant effluent
• No added taste
• Reverts to oxygen simplifying water chemistry
• Minimize use of persistent biocides prior to final distribution
• Storage required

Where Ozone Has Been Utilized

• Private household wells
• Small community wells (systems serving fewer than 10,000 persons)
• Municipal wells (systems serving greater than 10,000 persons)
• Irrigation wells
• Drinking water for livestock
• Industrial and commercial groundwater supply for process water used in industries such as food processing, bottled water, beer, paper, semiconductor, metals, etc.
• Water recycling

Specific Areas Ozone Proven to be Effective

• Tannins and lignins
• Iron and sulfur reducing bacteria
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
• Synthetic Organic Compounds (SOCs)

Oxidation of Inorganic Compounds:

• Iron Manganese
• Sulfides
• Arsenic
• Cyanide
• Nitrites
• Organically bound heavy metals

How We Can Help You
Piper Environmental Group, Inc., Inc.'s primary business focus is ozone technology, and small municipal water systems is a market focus.

Our objective is to provide the best ozonation system for each application at the most economical cost to our customers. With this in mind, we can provide a variety of services, including these core services:

• Consult on new applications
• Conduct ozone demand or pilot studies
• Assist with design
• Sell or lease equipment
• Rent seasonal or emergency equipment
• Assist with installation
• Start-up
• Train personnel
• Monitor site remotely
• Provide contract or emergency service

As system integrators, we have a full range of manufacturers' equipment available to us, so we can choose the right equipment for your specific installation or manufacture exactly what you need.