NSF entered into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1998 to establish and manage the ETV Wet Weather Flow Technologies Program. The program provides independent performance evaluations for stormwater treatment technologies; flow meters for storm and combined sewers; high-rate separation systems; high-rate disinfection technologies, including ultraviolet light systems and induction mixers; and hydrologic models. A recent Johns Hopkins University study linking U.S. waterborne disease to heavy rainfall confirmed the importance of these technologies. The study found that 51 percent of waterborne disease outbreaks were preceded by rainfall above the 90th percentile, and that 68 percent of those outbreaks were preceded by rainfall above the 80th percentile.
The Nov. 14 meeting will update Stakeholder Advisory Group members on the progress of the Wet Weather Flow Technologies Program and obtain their input for the program's future direction. NSF will also host a session on Nov. 13 to discuss specific technical issues about stormwater treatment devices and a Nov. 15 tour of the Utah Water Research Laboratory, where a portion of the flow meter testing takes place.
"Control of contamination due to wet weather discharges requires large expenditures," said John Schenk, manager of Engineering & Research Services for NSF. "Through the Wet Weather Flow Technologies ETV Program, NSF verifies the effectiveness of various treatment options to assure that these expenditures accomplish their intended purpose. So far, we've developed seven generic testing protocols and we're currently evaluating more than 20 individual technologies. We're looking forward to obtaining input from the Stakeholder Advisory Group on the next steps for the program."
Source: NSF International
