NSF International, The Public Health and Safety Co., and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a two-day stakeholder meeting on
June 4 and 5 to discuss scope, mission and public comments on the function of
the Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Drinking Water Systems Center.
NSF is the world leader in food, water and environment-related certification
and education services for public health and safety issues. This was the
first meeting of the stakeholder committee since NSF was designated as the
Center for ETV Drinking Water Systems Verification.
On October 1, 2000, NSF International entered into a cooperative agreement
with the EPA to form the ETV Drinking Water Systems Center. The purpose of
the Center is to provide independent performance evaluations of drinking water
technologies. The Center develops protocols for technology verification,
manages verifications, provides project quality assurance and issues final
verification reports.
The ETV Drinking Water Systems Center Stakeholder Committee consists of
industry leaders, including manufacturers, trade associations, state drinking
water administrators, water utilities, consultants, engineers and various
water testing organizations. The committee reviewed the ETV Drinking Water
Systems Center's progress to date and discussed public comments on the
Center's goals and missions. The committee charged NSF to focus its efforts
on technologies that will support the needs of small water systems. It was
also suggested that verifications be targeted on technologies which deal with
current concerns such as arsenic, Cryptosporidium and the pending surface
water treatment rule.
"We are very pleased with the results of the meeting," said Gordon Bellen,
Vice President of Federal Programs for NSF. "The support from the States is a
clear indication we are on the right track. The protocols and test reports
have clearly made a contribution to the acceptance of drinking water
technology."
NSF International, a not-for-profit organization, is dedicated to
improving public health, safety and protection of the environment. A global
leader in standards development and product certification, NSF tests and
certifies more than 130,000 products worldwide and continually develops new
programs in response to public and environmental issues. NSF offers a broad
range of services, including accredited food equipment certification;
comprehensive food safety and quality systems auditing; HACCP-9000(R)
registration and verification; certification for water distribution systems;
certification for dietary supplements, bakery products and nonfood compounds;
management systems registration; and toxicology consulting. NSF also provides
learning opportunities through its Center for Public Health Education.
NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food Safety
and Drinking Water Safety and Treatment. Founded in 1944, NSF is
headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI, with offices and laboratories around the
world.
For more information on the EPA-funded ETV Drinking Water Treatment
Systems Center, contact Bruce Bartley, Manager, at 734-769-5148 or
Source: US Enviornmental Protection Agency
