Teleconference Meeting Minutes
U.S. EPA Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program
Advanced Monitoring Systems (AMS) Center
Water Stakeholder Committee Teleconference
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
1:00 pm- 3:00 pm EDT
AGENDA
Welcome, Agenda, and Meeting Objectives
Rachel Sell,
Battelle
Introduction of New Stakeholders Max Lee and Robin Oshiro
ETV Updates and AMS Center News
• ETV/SBIR/R2 Workshop (October 7-8)
• EPA Drinking Water Workshop (August 2008)
• Soil Rapid Toxicity Technologies International Protocol
Update on Technology Categories
• ELISA Test Kits for Endocrine Disrupting
Compounds (EDCs) in Water
• International ETV - Passive Groundwater Samplers
Discussion of New Technology Categories
• E.coli and Total Coliform Monitoring
Optical Property Measurements
• Water Treatment Management via Toxicity Monitoring
Overview of EPA Alternative Test Procedure (ATP) program
Discussion of Evolving Technology Categories
• Pathogen Monitors
• Total Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Test Kit
• Lead in Drinking Water Test Kits
Chemical Oxygen Demand Techniques
Rachel Sell
Doug Grosse, EPA/
Amy Dindal, Battelle
Amy Dindal
Ryan James, Battelle
Robin Oshiro, EPA
Amy Dindal
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• Total Organic Carbon Analyzers/On-line Nutrient Monitoring
• Automated Pathogen Concentrator
Vendor Inquiries and Hot Topics Rachel Sell
• Oil-in-Water Monitoring Technologies
Recap of Priorities, Action Items, and Next Meeting Rachel Sell
Adjourn
ATTENDEES
Stakeholder Committee Members:
John Carlton, Alabama Dept. of Environmental Management (retired)
Christine Kolbe, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Max Lee, Dow Chemical
Alan Mearns, Hazardous Materials Response Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA)
Vito Minei, Division of Environmental Quality Suffolk County Department of Health Services
Lisa Olsen, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Robin Oshiro, EPA
Glenn Sabadosa, Bayer Material Science
Jeff Schloss, University of New Hampshire (UNH) Center for Freshwater Biology, Water
Resources UNH Cooperative Extension
Roy Spalding, University of Nebraska
ETV AMS Center Staff:
Amy Dindal, Battelle
Doug Grosse, EPA
Ryan James, Battelle
Rachel Sell, Battelle
Welcome, Agenda, and Meeting Objectives
Rachel Sell, Battelle AMS Center Stakeholder Coordinator, welcomed committee stakeholders
and AMS Center staff, took roll call of the participants in the teleconference. Ms. Sell proceeded
with an overview of the agenda, noting the focus of the call would be on upcoming ETV events,
updates on technology categories moving forward, updates on evolving technology categories,
and identifying priority technology categories for verification.
Introduction of New Stakeholders Max Lee and Robin Oshiro
Ms. Sell introduced new stakeholder, Max Lee, to the Water Stakeholder Committee. Dr. Lee is
a senior analytical specialist within the Environmental Tech Center at Dow Chemical. He is the
global subject matter expert in the environmental analytical area, conducts new analytical
method development (including bench and field analyzers), and evaluates new analytical
technologies for cost reduction and increased effectiveness. He holds six patents.
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Ms. Sell introduced another new stakeholder, Robin Oshiro, to the Water Stakeholder
Committee. Ms. Oshiro is in the Office of Water, Office of Science and Technology,
Engineering and Analytical Support Branch at the EPA. She is also EPA's Alternative Test
Procedure (ATP) program representative for wastewater microbiology.
ETV Updates and AMS Center News
Doug Grosse, the EPA project officer for the AMS Center, provided an update on recent ETV
and AMS Center activities. The ETV/Region 2 (R2)/Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)
Workshop is being planned for New York City, October 7-8. It will be public workshop largely
attended by EPA R2, state agencies (NY Department of Environmental Conversation (DEC), NY
State Energy Research and Development Agency), and vendors. 100-200 attendees are expected
to participate. The workshop is organized by Center areas (e.g., air monitoring session, water
monitoring session, etc.). Stakeholders participating and co-presenting with the AMS Center
include air stakeholder Phil Galvin from NY DEC and water stakeholder Vito Minei (Suffolk Co
Department of Health Services). The agenda is provided at the workshop website:
http://www.scgcorp.com/etvsbir08/. ETV Team members will gather the day before the
workshop begins to discuss future directions that might be taken to expand or refine the program.
The ETV team will also be working towards better integration with EPA divisions.
Mr. Grosse noted that the AMS Center participated in the EPA National Risk Management
Research Laboratory's Drinking Water Workshop in August. Mr. Grosse and AMS Center
Director Amy Dindal presented a poster that was well-received by the participants.
Of international interest, the AMS Center completed the first international verification protocol
with ETV Canada on soil rapid toxicity testing. This is significant since the ETV program is
putting effort into international harmonization with other country's ETV programs.
Update on Technology Categories
Amy Dindal provided an update on two technology categories and reviewed slides from a
PowerPoint presentation distributed to stakeholders before the teleconference.
ELISA Test Kits for Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs) in Water
Ms. Dindal provided an update on EDC ELISA test kits, a technology category currently in-
progress. Ms. Dindal explained that the test was conducted in collaboration with EPA's National
Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) in Cincinnati as well as other EPA and USGS
labs. The verification will evaluate the ability of different ELISA test kits to detect estrogenic
compounds or nonylphenol in four different water matrices: deionized water; surface water;
wastewater treatment plan (WWTP) effluent; and WWTP influent. Each matrix was spiked with
10 ng/L of estradiol (E2) and 17-a-ethynylestradiol (EE2) in one aliquot and 30 ug/L
nonylphenol in another aliquot. Ms. Dindal noted that the concentrations were selected to be as
close to realistic as possible while staying within the operating ranges of the kits that are being
tested. Abraxis, LLC is the only vendor participating in the test. Testing was completed in
August. Data analysis is on-going. Verification parameters will include accuracy, precision,
matrix effects, and evaluation of operational factors such as ease of use, sample throughput, and
waste production. Ms. Dindal thanked the peer reviewers (Lisa Olsen from USGS and Paul
Pennington from NOAA) for their review of the test/QA plan and mentioned that they should
expect the verification reports for review in the next few months.
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Alan Mearns asked if the kits could be used in saltwater. Ms. Dindal said that they could not be
used in saltwater.
International ETV' - Passive Groundwater Samplers
In cooperation with the Nordic Water Technology Verification Center (NOWATECH), the AMS
Center is preparing for verification testing of passive ground water samplers. The test/QA plan is
being developed jointly by NOWATECH and the AMS Center; an existing ETV test/QA plan
will serve as the starting point. One vendor, Sorbisense, is currently participating in the
verification test, slated for summer/fall of 2008 in Denmark. The AMS Center will provide
technical and quality assurance oversight of testing. The testing was expected to be completed by
the end of 2008, but since the test/QA plan is still under development, Ms. Dindal does not
anticipate that the testing will occur this calendar year. Testing is expected to involve volatile
organic compounds (mono-, di-, tri-, and tetrachloroethenes; BTEX; MTBE). Vito Minei said
that MTBE is of concern to Suffolk County DHS, as they have taken more than 50,000
groundwater samples for MTBE. It is anticipated that a supplemental document will be prepared
to describe the procedures for US ETV and NOWATECH acceptance of the joint verification
process. Ken Wood offered DuPont as a source of peer review for this verification test. Battelle
will contact Diane Easley, EPA Region 7, to be a reviewer per Roy Spalding's suggestion.
Mr. Spal ding said he would also serve as a reviewer if needed.
Discussion of New Technology Categories
Ryan James provided an update on three new technology categories, and reviewed slides from a
PowerPoint presentation distributed to stakeholders before the teleconference.
E.coli and Total Coliform Monitoring
There were several questions about whether or not these technologies detect enterococci as there
is still much interest in this area. However, these technologies are specific for only E.coli and
total coliform. Dr. Mearns asked how long it took to obtain a reading. The time per reading is
advertised as 1-14 hours. Dr. Mearns also asked if the kits worked in saltwater. Dr. James
confirmed that at least B2P's technology does. Stakeholders provided their concurrence for this
category.
Optical Property Measurements
Vendor has a technology capable of taking measurements of multiple wavelengths of UV-Vis
absorbance; the multivariate analysis of wavelengths can be used to measure various water
quality parameters such as nitrates, sulfates, total mercury, possibly others, dissolved organic
matter, and chlorophyll. Mr. Grosse asked about its capability to speciate mercury and Lisa
Olsen said that mercury speciation was indeed one of the objectives of Bryan Downing's
research. However, instrumentation not yet ready for ETV verification, so concurrence was not
obtained for this technology category. Possible applications include carbon cycling indication.
Jeff Schloss models microcystin levels and noted that vendors are using different fluorescence
instrumentation. Dr. James encouraged him to contact Bryan Downing of USGS. Lisa Olsen
mentioned there may be a health and safety issue for boaters and water skiers that the
Department of the Interior may be interested in. Mr. Minei offered support for a microcystins
test.
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Water Treatment Management via Toxicity Monitoring
Lab_Bell Inc. offers the LuminoTox, a portable bioassay that provides rapid toxicity detection in
less than 10 minutes. The technology uses non-living photosynthetic enzymatic complexes; light
induces fluorescence that is sensitive to toxic compounds. There is the possibility of a
collaboration with ETV Canada. The Robot LuminoTox is ready for ETV testing. Dr. Mearns
asked at what dilution level does toxicity disappear (e.g., 100:1). Dr. Lee asked if there is any
available data for wastewater/industrial applications. Dr. James said that he would check with
the vendor, as the vendor had expressed interest in ETV testing of the bench-top LuminoTox for
wastewater applications. Stakeholders provided their concurrence for this category.
Overview of EPA Alternative Test Procedure (ATP) program
Robin Oshiro provided an overview of EPA's ATP program. The Clean Water Act (CWA) ATP
program is described at 40 CFR 136.4 and 40 CFR 136.5. The program assumes that there is an
existing approved method with the same target for the same matrix (drinking water, ambient
water, etc.) and allows method developers to ask for review (not approval) of their method.
A method that EPA would consider under the ATP program is a complete one in that it includes
steps from sample receipt at the laboratory to test results. Methods not considered include
machines that concentrate samples, or for microbes, techniques with an end result not
comparable to an approved method (e.g., genetic method). The ATP program reviews both new
and modified methods; the overall requirement is side-by-side testing comparing the new or
modified method to an approved method on a nationwide basis (at 10 laboratories).
In order to have a method approved, ATP participants are required to submit an application
appropriate to their method (chemical or microbial). Instructions can be found on the ATP
website at http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/methods/atp. If EPA approves the study plan, the
study is then carried out. Data generated from the study is submitted to EPA; if EPA approves
data package, a participant will receive a letter, which is not an actual approval. EPA will
publish your method in one of two ways for approval: for Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
methods, a Federal Register (FR) notice; for CWA methods, an FR proposal then promulgation
(final ruling). FR notices are issued on an as-needed basis, not every time a method is accepted.
For CWA methods, the proposal/promulgation process takes 2-3 years. In the interim,
participants can post acceptance letters to their website.
Approved methods can be found at http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/methods/ (for CWA
methods) and http://www.epa.gov/safewater/methods/analyticalmethods.html (for SDWA
methods).
Ms. Oshiro described some of the differences between the ATP and ETV programs:
• Office of Water (ATP) vs. Office of Research and Development (ETV)
• Method (ATP) vs. technology (ETV)
• Method approval for compliance monitoring (ATP) vs. technology verification (ETV)
Ms. Dindal asked how many applications are received from vendors on an annual basis.
Ms. Oshiro estimated that 100 applications are received each year, most are for chemical and
drinking water methods. Ms. Oshiro said she refers ATP applicants to the ETV program.
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Discussion of Evolving Technology Categories
Ms. Dindal provided an update on six technology categories still under development, and
reviewed slides from a PowerPoint presentation distributed to stakeholders before the
teleconference.
Pathogen Monitors
Ms. Dindal described the SBIR Phase II vendor's technology for water monitoring for pathogens
that is approaching the ETV-ready stage. The vendor claims that the technology can detect
cryptosporidium in 4-6 hours and will be only a $25 test after a $1000 capital investment. The
vendor provided detailed slides on the technology which were provided to the stakeholders as
background material but not discussed in detail during the call. Ms. Dindal noted that the
purpose of discussing this technology was to give the stakeholders a heads-up that it would be
coming up for their concurrence in the near future.
Total Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Test Kit
A vendor of a technology for total chlorinated hydrocarbon monitoring in water and soil has
approached the AMS Center. Basically the technology operates like a fieldable purge and trap
system, with the purged sample vapors pulled onto a colorimetric tube that will semi-
quantitatively indicate the total chlorinated hydrocarbons in a sample. Alan Mearns asked if the
technology would work for polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and Ms. Dindal replied that she did
not think that it would. Stakeholder concurrence was received to proceed with this category,
although the stakeholders did not have this technology at the top of their list.
Lead in Drinking Water Test Kits
Concurrence was received on this technology category during the last call. Two vendors with test
kits for lead in water have expressed an interest in verification: Silver Lake Research's
Watersafe® kit and Industrial Test Systems, Inc., Sensafe LEADQuick™ test. Given the low
cost of the test kits, significant external funding will be needed to offset the cost of verification to
the vendors. The AMS Center will continue to pursue potential leads for co-funding and
collaborators, including PA DEP Bureau of Laboratories, Delaware Health and Social Services,
Illinois EPA, and the Division of Environmental Quality at the Suffolk County Department of
Health Services (Vito Minei). The committee agreed that this is still a priority area for testing.
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Techniques
Concurrence was received on this technology category during a previous call. Ms. Dindal
indicated that the vendor, Aqua Diagnostic, is in the process of completing some field testing of
their PeCOD™ on-line and field-portable COD analyzers and expects to have commercially
available products in the January-March timeframe. The analyzer utilizes photo-electrochemical
oxidation to determine COD levels. An illuminated TiO2 sensor creates the oxidizing agent.
The verification will be in collaboration with DuPont; verification discussions will begin once
the analyzer becomes available.
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Analyzers/On-line Nutrient Monitoring
Concurrence was received on this technology category during a previous call. In 2007,
Ohmart/VEGA contacted the AMS Center about Pollution Control System's BioTector® TOC
and nutrient analyzer, which is especially well-suited for process control and traditional
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wastewater applications, as opposed to compliance monitoring or ambient monitoring. The
analyzer costs approximately $70,000, depending on the options selected. The vendor is
interested in verification and is expected to provide significant funding for the test. No
additional vendors responded to the solicitation for TOC technologies. The AMS Center is
currently identifying collaborators for the test, and is looking towards EPA Water Supply and
Water Resources Division and possibly WERF for collaboration/support. On the last call,
Dr Lee mentioned that Dow has worked with the BioTector and has testing data they may be
able to share; Dr. Lee is still working on the approvals to release that data to the AMS Center.
Automated Pathogen Concentrator
Concurrence was received on this technology category during a previous call. At this time, the
AMS Center is waiting to receive a signed vendor agreement and deposit from the vendor before
proceeding with plans for testing of this automated pathogen concentrator developed by Tufts
University/Haemonetics.
Vendor Inquiries and Hot Topics
Ms. Sell asked Dr. Mearns to provide an update to the stakeholders on NOAA's efforts to
monitor for oil in water during oil and fuel spills. Dr. Mearns described the many forms and
fates of oil during river spills, but was not sure of the tools utilized to monitor for all spills. John
Carlton said that hat he agrees with Dr. Mearns that this is an area of concern. He said when
monitoring for oil spills downstream, operators shut water intakes down, estimate when the
plume is coming, and monitor using standard Clean Water Act methods.
Ms. Olsen said the Washington Aqueduct under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE)
manages the intake at Little Falls on the Potomac River. The USGS has a gage there at
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv701646500. USAGE operates Turner oil-in-water monitors at
that intake. The contact at this site is Woody Peterson. Stakeholders provided concurrence on
this technology category, although the AMS Center needs to explore more on what technologies
are out there before proceeding with this category. After the call, Dr. Mearns forwarded points-
of-contact in organizations (EPA, ORSANCO) who should be contacted for input to this test.
Time was running short, so in terms of other technologies on the horizon, stakeholders were
asked to forward any ideas to Ms. Sell.
Recap of Priorities, Action Items, and Next Meeting
Ms. Sell restated that stakeholder concurrence had been received for four new technology
categories: oil-in-water monitors, e.coli/total coliform technologies, water treatment management
via toxicity monitoring, and total chlorinated hydrocarbon monitoring. The stakeholders also
confirmed their continued interest in COD, lead in drinking water, and TOC/on-line nutrient
monitors.
Ms. Sell reviewed the action items brought forth on the call:
1. Dr. Schloss will email slides on the use of microcystin kits to Ms. Sell for distribution to
all stakeholders.
2. Dr. James will follow-up with Mr. Minei on his offer to support a verification test for
microcystins monitoring.
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3. Dr. James will forward Bryan Downing's contact information to Dr. Schloss.
4. Dr. James will check whether data is available for industrial wastewater applications for
the LuminoTox technology for Dr. Lee.
Ms. Sell thanked all of the stakeholders for attending the meeting and for their continued input
and contributions to the ETV program. She said that she would distribute meeting minutes to
review and said the next stakeholder teleconference would be planned for the January timeframe.
The call adjourned at 3:00 pm EOT.
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