Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2008DE128B

Zero-valent Iron and Other Additives to Enhance Biofiltration of Water

Institute: Delaware
Year Established: 2008 Start Date: 2008-03-01 End Date: 2009-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $1,750 Total Non-Federal Funds: $3,500

Principal Investigators: Rachael Vaicunas, Pei Chiu

Project Summary: Slow sand filtration of water through zero-valent iron and other additives has been shown to be an effective, inexpensive means to remove contaminants and inactivate viruses. Current filters use a bed of sand to separate bacteria from water. The schmutzdecke (biolayer) removes most of the impurities, keeping bacteria out of the treated water. However, some viruses can get through the sand, causing contamination. These viruses cause illnesses such as hepatitis A and intestinal disorders. Metallic iron, known as zero-valent iron, provides a chemical process also shown by past work to remove some contaminants and to inactivate the viruses in water. In this project, zero-valent iron will be combined with the sand to determine whether it can inactivate viruses and provide a safer source of water as well as making the water taste desirable. This research will be in conjunction with the UD Student Chapter of Engineers without Borders, an organization that is working to provide safe drinking water in Cameroon, Africa. The overall goal is to develop a filter that will inactivate harmful viruses and provide a viable source of water for people both locally and in third world countries.