Protocols for Testing the Performance of Point-of-Use Water Treatment Units
This series of protocols has been produced as an aid for anyone with responsibility for the installation or operation of small drinking water systems. The purpose of the protocols is to provide a consistent basis for evaluating and reporting on the claims made for the performance of water treatment units. It is recommended that testing be carried out in laboratories accredited to ISO 9000 or equivalent for testing or calibration that is relevant to the protocols. Each protocol represents a standard of good practice. Compliance with a protocol does not confer immunity from relevant legal requirements.
The protocols were drafted by the Committee on Point of Use Device Test Protocols. This Committee was appointed by the Department of the Environment in 1991 to provide advice to local authorities on water treatment for private water supplies. Production and editing of the protocols was carries out by WRc under the terms of a DOE research contract.
The protocols incorporate existing standards produced by British Water and were developed on the basis of existing copyrighted standards (ANSI/NSF 42-1997, ANSI/NSF 44-1996, ANSI/NSF 53-1997, ANSI/NSF 55-1991, ANSI/NSF 58-1997 and ANSI/NSF 62-1997) produced by NSF International. British Water and NSF International played an active role in developing the protocols and their contributions and permission to make use of copyright material are gratefully acknowledged.
British Water
1 Queen Anne's Gate
London, SW1H 9BT
United KingdomBritish Water is the trade association for the British water and wastewater industry worldwide. With nearly 200 members representing the leading companies in the industry, it promotes the involvement in water-related projects of British consultants, contractors, water service companies, plant and ancillary equipment manufacturers and a wide range of other organisations involved in every phase of the water cycle.
Working closely with government and government departments at home and overseas, it organises outward and inward missions, seminars, exhibitions and other platforms to promote the technical, financial and administrative expertise of the British water sector in the global market.
The organisation operates a number of market groups concerned with all aspects of the industry's activities and collaborates with British and European agencies in the development of standards affecting the water industry in Europe and the rest of the world.
NSF International
3475 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor
Michigan 48105
USA
WWW: www.nsf.org
E-mail: info@nsf.orgNSF International (European Office)
148 Avenue Grand Champ
1150 Brussels
Belgium
E-mail: brussels@nsf.orgNSF International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that works with manufacturers, users and regulators to develop and maintain standards, then tests and evaluates products to their requirements. NSF's DWTU programme has the following standards for POU and POE traetment technologies. DWTU - Aesthetic Effects, DWTU - Health Effects, Cation Exchange Water Softeners, Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Treatments, Drinking Water Distillation Systems and Ultraviolet Microbiological Water Treatment Systems. All have four basic requirements that products must satisfy in order to be certified to the standard: contaminant reduction testing, material safety evaluation, structural integrity and non-misleading and truthful literature. All certified products bear the NSF Mark and appear in the Listing Book and on the WWW at: www.nsf.org.
WRc plc
Frankland Road
Blagrove
Swindon
Wiltshire, SN5 8YF
United Kingdom
WWW: www.wrcplc.co.uk
E-mail: solutions@wrcplc.co.ukWRc plc is a knowledge-based company with a strong R&D foundation and a wide range of scientific and engineering skills in the environmental field. The company deals with issues in areas such as water supply including all aspects of water treatment, waste disposal, recycling, land-use, contaminated land, environmental quality and risk assessment supported byextensive laboratories including chemical analysis, toxicology and materials and equipment testing. WRc serves, on an international basis, the regulatory, utility and industrial areas as key customers, and the financial and legal bodies which serve them.
Any enquiries about these protocols or comments on the test methods should be directed to Peter Jackson at WRc plc.
The following protocols are available in Adobe Acrobat format for download. The Adobe Acrobat Reader can be freely downloaded.
- Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection Units (95kb)
Scope of protocol - the protocol specifies the test parameters and methods for assessing claims for bacterial reduction.- Activated Carbon Filter Units (99kb)
Scope of protocol - assessment of claims for chemical contaminant reduction, characterisation of bacterial contamination and leaching of silver.- Ceramic and Cartridge Filters (93kb)
Scope of protocol - assessment of claims for removal of suspended contaminants by porous materials incorporated into a pressure vessel housing.- In Situ Regenerated Ion Exchange Nitrate Removal Units (114kb)
Scope of protocol - assessment of claims for removal of nitrate in units containing between 5 and 250 litres of ion exchange resin.- Reverse Osmosis Units (101kb)
Scope of protocol - assessment of claims for reduction of total dissolved solids and contaminants.
Published 18 December 1998 / Updated 11 July 2001