Total organic carbon analyzer and microbial community profiling tools for biological drinking water processes

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This funding will be used towards the purchase of a total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer, which measures changes in the organic content of water during drinking water treatment processes and water reuse applications. Organic carbon assessment is particularly important for biological water treatment processes such as biofiltration. Complimentary to the TOC analyzer, tools for characterizing microbial communities will be purchased. These tools will be used to investigate the complex nature of the microorganisms that are responsible for biological water treatment processes, and results are anticipated to aid in the development of design guidelines for biological filtration. Dr. Peter Huck, the principal investigator, has worked with biofiltration for more than 20 years, and more recently he investigated direct biofiltration to minimize energy consumption during membrane filtration applications. Dr. Emelko's work focuses on optimizing conventional rapid biofiltration, and the fate and transport of pathogens during subsurface filtration. The research conducted by the applicants will benefit greatly from this new equipment.