•3-EPA
www.epa.gov/nhsrc
technical BRIEF
Award-winning Ultrafiltration Device Used to Aid in the
Detection of Microorganisms in Drinking Water
Portable Device Developed to Detect Microorganisms
The possibility of terrorists or criminals intentionally contaminating drinking water with pathogenic
microorganisms is a significant public health concern.
This concern has given rise to the need to rapidly and
effectively sample water to detect small concentrations
of potentially dangerous microorganisms.
Analysis of water for the presence of low levels of
microorganisms requires that either a large volume
sample be collected and transported to a laboratory
where the sample is concentrated before analysis, or
concentrated in the field with cumbersome, yet delicate
laboratory equipment. Concentration of a sample is
necessary because low levels of microbes can be more
accurately detected in a concentrated sample than in a
diluted one.
The transportation and handling of a large volume of
potentially contaminated water is a safety concern for
the transporters, laboratory personnel and the public.
To improve upon this situation, EPA, in partnership
with the Department of Energy's Idaho National
Laboratory (INL), developed a rugged and automated
field deployable sample concentration (ultrafiltration)
device. The device significantly reduces the sample
volume by concentrating the microorganisms
contained in a large sample into a small volume of
water. The device can concentrate the microbes
contained in a 26-gallon sample into less than 2 cups
of water, often in under an hour. Following
concentration, the smaller, concentrated sample can
be more easily and safely transported to a laboratory.
U.S. EPA's Homeland Security Research

Program (HSRP) develops products based on
scientific research and technology evaluations.
Our products and expertise are widely used i
i
preventing, preparing for, and recovering fron
n
public health and environmental emergencies

that arise from terrorist attacks. Our research

and products
address biological, radiological,

or chemical contaminants that could affect

indoor areas,
outdoor areas, or water

infrastructure
HSRP provides these products

technical assistance, and expertise to suppor
t
EPA's roles and responsibilities under the

National Response Framework, statutory
requirements, and Homeland Security
Presidential Directives.

For the development of this filtration device, EPA and
INL researchers received a 2009 R&D 100 Award from R&D Magazine, a magazine that provides
news and information concerning the research and development community. Each year, the editors of
R&D Magazine bestow the prestigious R&D 100 Award to help new products compete in the
marketplace. As stated by R&D Magazine, "the winning of an R&D 100 Award provides a mark of
excellence known to industry, government, and academia as proof that the product is one of the most
innovative ideas of the year".

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Ultrafiltration Device - Methodology and Advantages for Water Sampling
The approximate dimensions of the ultrafiltration device are 31 x 20 x 16 inches (795 x 518 x 393
millimeters), which allows it to fit into the trunk of a car. It consists of pump valves, sensors, electronic
controls, a hollow fiber filter cartridge and a sample bottle. The device is controlled by software that can
be installed on a personal computer. The device works by pumping water through a filter, while
maintaining 10 to 25 pounds per square inch pressure difference between the filter inlet and outlet. This
pressure difference forces the water to be discarded through a hollow fiber filter, while the
microorganisms remain suspended in the sample (See diagram).
Magnified single hollow fiber
Filtered water
Low outlet pressure
Concentrated sample
goes to waste
Htgh inlet pressure
Dilute sampl
jOUUUDGDO DJJ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~GDO QIJ ~~~~~~ OlJ u ~
~ (]~~~ lJU ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ DTI ~ ~
UODDDDDDDDQDQDQDO
Filtered water
goes to waste
Hollow fiber "leaks" water
and very small particles,
traps large particles
Microorganisms
•Vr
Particles (rust,
of interest
dirt etc.)
Using a computer controlled system, the ultrafiltration device automates the process of concentrating
microorganisms. The system was also designed to reduce human exposure to potentially
contaminated water and to generate samples that are appropriate for the analyses of several types of
microorganisms. The underlying technology has been tested by several laboratories, with further
testing being conducted by both EPA and Centers for Disease Control.
The ultrafiltration device:
•	Reduces sample collection and concentration time and cost - Sample concentration
processes are automated, which reduces the time it takes to determine pathogen content.
Since only a concentrated sample is shipped, the cost of transport is less. One hundred liters
of water sample can often be processed and concentrated in about an hour.
•	Improves accuracy and consistency - By using a large sample volume, analytical
sensitivities may be improved by as much as 200-fold over smaller volume assays.
Concentrated samples help ensure that highly diluted microorganisms are accurately
identified. The automation of processes that were previously performed manually in the
laboratory should help improve the consistency of sample preparation.
•	Requires minimal setup and training - Instrumentation and controls allow operation with
minimal setup and training.
•	Allows for real-time monitoring - The computer screen provides a virtual display of the
filtration process, allowing operators to monitor the status and quickly respond to operational
issues during sampling.
•	Eliminates cross-contamination - All device parts that come in contact with the sample
water (e.g., tubing, fittings, pressure transducer) are single use items. This ensures that there
is no cross-contamination between samples. The device includes quick disconnects for
sample removal.
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•	Increased safety- The shipment and handling of a small water sample, compared with a high
volume sample, is less likely to result in spillage which decreases risk to the transporters,
laboratory personnel and general public.
Additional Uses
The ultrafiltration device could be used by water utilities during their routine regulatory compliance
sampling. This routine sampling includes testing for several different microorganisms in drinking
water.
The ultrafiltration device may also be useful for sampling:
•	Bilge water on shipping vessels
•	Process control liquids from the brewing and pharmaceutical industries
•	Surface water for environmental studies
•	Decontamination water from cleanup areas.
Although not yet confirmed, the ultrafiltration device might be useful in concentrating samples for large
molecular weight toxins such as ricin, as well as yeasts, fungi, viruses, protozoa and helminths, which
are targeted pathogens in EPA's new water reuse guidelines.
Licensing
In early 2009, INL and Teledyne Isco signed a licensing agreement that provides exclusive rights to
Teledyne Isco for further development and marketing of the device. Teledyne Isco, an operating unit
of Teledyne Technologies, is a world leader for the design, manufacture and distribution of automatic
collection devices used to sample water and wastewater for subsequent laboratory analysis.
For more information, visit the EPA Web site at www.epa.gov/nhsrc.
Technical Contacts: D. Alan Lindquist (lindquist.alan@epa.gov) and Vicente Gallardo
(gallardo.vincente@epa.gov)
General Feedback/Questions: Kathy Nickel (nickel.kathy@epa.gov)
August 2009
E PA/600/S-09/025

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