Role of Independent Third Party Testing Organizations in

Application of Water Treatment Technologies in

Society

NSF International ( NSF) Water ProgramsNSF International ( NSF) Water Programs

Fall 2009 Environmental Engineering Seminar Series

AgendaAgenda

• About NSFAbout NSF• Product StandardsProduct Standards• Product Certification ProgramsProduct Certification Programs• Water ProgramsWater Programs• Water Distribution SystemsWater Distribution Systems• Drinking Water Treatment UnitsDrinking Water Treatment Units• Wastewater ProgramsWastewater Programs• SummarySummary• Q&AQ&A

About NSF’s Early DaysAbout NSF’s Early Days

• Before NSF, no national standards existed in Before NSF, no national standards existed in the U.S. for products that could directly impact the U.S. for products that could directly impact public health, including food and water.public health, including food and water.

• NSF was founded to provide national, NSF was founded to provide national, consensus standards development, testing consensus standards development, testing and certification.and certification.

• Independent, not-for-profit organization (not Independent, not-for-profit organization (not government).government).

• NSF was established in 1944 by Professors at NSF was established in 1944 by Professors at the School of Public (University of Michigan).the School of Public (University of Michigan).

NSF Then and NowNSF Then and Now

• Called the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and Called the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and is now NSF International. It is not the National is now NSF International. It is not the National Science Foundation.Science Foundation.

• Initial focus was Foodservice Equipment; now Initial focus was Foodservice Equipment; now includes water and the environment. includes water and the environment.

• Initially 2 faculty and students and now:Initially 2 faculty and students and now:– 700+ staff, scientists and engineers (many from MSU) and 700+ staff, scientists and engineers (many from MSU) and – 500+ independent field auditors, worldwide.500+ independent field auditors, worldwide.

• Began in one lab in the basement of the UMSPH and Began in one lab in the basement of the UMSPH and now consists of 250,000 sq. ft. in Ann Arbor facility.now consists of 250,000 sq. ft. in Ann Arbor facility.

• Initially work only with Food and Drug Administration Initially work only with Food and Drug Administration and now includes the EPA, USDA, CDC, NIH.and now includes the EPA, USDA, CDC, NIH.

NSF World Headquarters: NSF World Headquarters: Ann Arbor, MIAnn Arbor, MI

The Public Health and Safety Company Stakeholders include Universities, Utilities trade associations and various government agencies.Largest Testing Facility of its Kind in the World Today.

NSF MissionNSF Mission

NSF International, an independent, NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit, non-governmental not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, is dedicated to being organization, is dedicated to being the leading global provider of public the leading global provider of public health and safety-based risk health and safety-based risk management solutions while serving management solutions while serving the interests of all stakeholders.the interests of all stakeholders.

A Global NetworkA Global Network

SII

SAI

JIA

WRc-NSF

CSTB

An-Shi-Fu

WHO

NSF Shanghai

NSF is a Collaborating Centre forNSF is a Collaborating Centre forThe World Health OrganizationThe World Health Organization

• Water Safety and Water Safety and TreatmentTreatment– Drinking Water Drinking Water

Quality GuidelinesQuality Guidelines– Recreational Water Recreational Water

Safety GuidelinesSafety Guidelines

• Food SafetyFood Safety

- Only organization to have these designations

NSF StandardsNSF Standards

• More than 60 U.S. national standards.More than 60 U.S. national standards.• Developed with input of all Developed with input of all

stakeholders, including Federal stakeholders, including Federal agencies, experts, industry and agencies, experts, industry and regulatory.regulatory.

• Open and transparent process.Open and transparent process.• ANSI “Audited Designator”.ANSI “Audited Designator”.• Comply with OMB Circular A119.Comply with OMB Circular A119.• Frequent updates.Frequent updates.

NSF Standards NSF Standards Development ProcessDevelopment Process

ManufacturersManufacturers UsersUsers

RegulatorsRegulatorsRegulatorsRegulators

ConsumersLaboratoriesUtilitiesConsultants

FederalState Local

Industry Representatives

The NSF Standards ProcessThe NSF Standards Process

• Consensus body.Consensus body.• ANSI Public Comment.ANSI Public Comment.• Request to Initiate: Develop Draft Standard & Joint Request to Initiate: Develop Draft Standard & Joint

Committee (Consensus Body – balanced representation) Committee (Consensus Body – balanced representation) • Ballots & Resolution of Appeals Ballots & Resolution of Appeals • Council Public Health Council (CPHC) Ballots Council Public Health Council (CPHC) Ballots • Standard Adopted NSF/ANSI Standard Adopted NSF/ANSI • Standard Announced Standard Announced • Public Review and Comment Public Review of Draft Public Review and Comment Public Review of Draft

Standard Public Commenter's Right to Appeal Appellant’s Standard Public Commenter's Right to Appeal Appellant’s Right to Appeal to ANSICPHC Technical CommitteeRight to Appeal to ANSICPHC Technical Committee

NSF Council of Public Health NSF Council of Public Health Consultants (CPHC)Consultants (CPHC)

• Academic and regulatory professionals Academic and regulatory professionals provide independent, public health provide independent, public health ratification stepratification step

• No industry representation No industry representation

• Approx 35 members, includes FDA, CDC, Approx 35 members, includes FDA, CDC, EPA, CPSC, state and local health officials, EPA, CPSC, state and local health officials, International representativesInternational representatives

• Oversee and vote on all standardsOversee and vote on all standards

• Oversee certification programsOversee certification programs

NSF Testing and Certification NSF Testing and Certification General ProcessGeneral Process

• ApplicationApplication

• Formulation and Toxicology ReviewFormulation and Toxicology Review

• Plant Inspection and Product SamplingPlant Inspection and Product Sampling

• Laboratory TestingLaboratory Testing

• Toxicology Review of Audit and Test ResultsToxicology Review of Audit and Test Results

• Certification and ListingCertification and Listing

• Annual Follow-up with unannounced plant Annual Follow-up with unannounced plant inspectionsinspections

NSF Testing and Certification NSF Testing and Certification Programs Programs

• Plastics PipingPlastics Piping

• Plumbing ProductsPlumbing Products

• Food Service EquipmentFood Service Equipment

• Food Processing EquipmentFood Processing Equipment

• Drinking Water Treatment ChemicalsDrinking Water Treatment Chemicals

• Drinking Water System ComponentsDrinking Water System Components

• Pool and Spa Circulation EquipmentPool and Spa Circulation Equipment

• Wastewater Treatment UnitsWastewater Treatment Units

NSF Testing and Certification NSF Testing and Certification Programs - continuedPrograms - continued

• Drinking Water Treatment UnitsDrinking Water Treatment Units

• Biohazard CabinetryBiohazard Cabinetry

• Dietary SupplementsDietary Supplements

• Nonfood CompoundsNonfood Compounds

• Environmentally Preferred ProductsEnvironmentally Preferred Products

• Bottled Water CertificationBottled Water Certification

• SustainabilitySustainability

• Environmental Management SystemsEnvironmental Management Systems

Domestic and International Domestic and International AccreditationsAccreditations

OSHA NRTL

ISO 14001

Widely Recognized and Widely Recognized and AcceptedAccepted

• Regulators: Local Health Departments; Regulators: Local Health Departments; State regulators; used in permit processState regulators; used in permit process

• Water Utilities and City organizations.Water Utilities and City organizations.

• Code Bodies: plumbing; food safety; Code Bodies: plumbing; food safety; building.building.

• Manufacturers, Distributors, Retailers in Manufacturers, Distributors, Retailers in purchase/performance specificationspurchase/performance specifications

New InitiativesNew Initiatives

• Nanotechnology–Standards development for Nanotechnology–Standards development for health effects.health effects.

• Joint Venture in ChinaJoint Venture in China• Sustainability: e.g., sustainable forestry initiative, Sustainability: e.g., sustainable forestry initiative,

green house gases; travel and tourism; green house gases; travel and tourism; environmentally preferred products.environmentally preferred products.

• Scrub Club - A Program To Keep Kids Healthy; its Scrub Club - A Program To Keep Kids Healthy; its goal to raise awareness about the benefits of goal to raise awareness about the benefits of hand washing among families to improve the hand washing among families to improve the health of children.health of children.

• Standard 60 – Chemicals

• Standard 61 – Water Equipment

• Standard 14 – Plastic Piping

• Code Compliance - Plumbing

• Residential Point of Use and Point of Entry Drinking Water Treatment Standards

• Community Water Treatment Verification (EPA collaboration).

Drinking Water

NSF Water ProgramsNSF Water Programs

• Municipal Water Supply ProductsMunicipal Water Supply Products– Treatment Plant to Water MeterTreatment Plant to Water Meter– Treatment ChemicalsTreatment Chemicals

• Drinking Water Treatment DevicesDrinking Water Treatment Devices– Residential and Commercial Point of Residential and Commercial Point of

Entry and Point of UseEntry and Point of Use– Community through collaboration with Community through collaboration with

EPA under Environmental Technology EPA under Environmental Technology verification (ETV) verification (ETV)

NSF Water Programs - NSF Water Programs - continuedcontinued

• Plumbing ProductsPlumbing Products– Plastic pipingPlastic piping– Water Conservation Devices (EPA Water Water Conservation Devices (EPA Water

Sense)Sense)

• Wastewater ProgramsWastewater Programs– Residential via NSF Standards Residential via NSF Standards – Community via ETVCommunity via ETV

• Bottled WaterBottled Water

Municipal Water Supply Municipal Water Supply ProductsProducts

• Products are certified to NSF Products are certified to NSF Standards to ensure that they do not Standards to ensure that they do not introduce hazardous levels of introduce hazardous levels of contaminants into the water supply.contaminants into the water supply.– NSF Standard 60 –Drinking Water NSF Standard 60 –Drinking Water

Treatment Chemicals –Health EffectsTreatment Chemicals –Health Effects– NSF Standard 61 –Drinking Water NSF Standard 61 –Drinking Water

System Components –Health EffectsSystem Components –Health Effects

Municipal Water Supply Municipal Water Supply Product – NSF 60 Treatment Product – NSF 60 Treatment ChemicalsChemicals• Establishes minimum health effects Establishes minimum health effects

requirements for treatment chemicalsrequirements for treatment chemicals

• Active ingredients: Is the chemical Active ingredients: Is the chemical safe at its maximum safe at its maximum

• use level?use level?

• Impurities: Are contaminants below Impurities: Are contaminants below maximum allowable levels?maximum allowable levels?

Municipal Water Supply Municipal Water Supply Product – NSF 61 Drinking Product – NSF 61 Drinking Water System ComponentsWater System Components• Establishes minimum health effects Establishes minimum health effects

requirements for materials in contact with requirements for materials in contact with waterwater

• What contaminants migrate or extract into What contaminants migrate or extract into water?water?

• ••Establishes minimum health effects Establishes minimum health effects requirements for materials in contact with requirements for materials in contact with waterwater

• Are contaminants below maximum allowable Are contaminants below maximum allowable levels?levels?

• Employs risk assessment for unregulated and Employs risk assessment for unregulated and unknown chemicals.unknown chemicals.

Examples of products covered Examples of products covered by NSF 60 & 61by NSF 60 & 61• Well drilling aids, grouts, & casingsWell drilling aids, grouts, & casings• Well cables, pumps & cleaning chemicalsWell cables, pumps & cleaning chemicals• Treatment Chemicals:Treatment Chemicals:

– Coagulation and flocculationCoagulation and flocculation– Corrosion and scale controlCorrosion and scale control– Disinfection and oxidationDisinfection and oxidation

• Equipment: Equipment: – On site chemical generatorsOn site chemical generators– Filtration EquipmentFiltration Equipment– UV and Ozone & other disinfection & oxidation UV and Ozone & other disinfection & oxidation

equipmentequipment– Chemical feeders and pumps Chemical feeders and pumps

Plumbing ProductsPlumbing Products

• Plumbing products are Plumbing products are evaluated to make sure evaluated to make sure they do not contaminate they do not contaminate water and that they water and that they meet physical durabilitymeet physical durability

• NSF Standard 61 –health NSF Standard 61 –health effects of materialseffects of materials

• Various Standards on Various Standards on product durability e.g. product durability e.g. resistance to pressure resistance to pressure testing, life cycle testing, life cycle testing, dimensions, testing, dimensions, impact resistanceimpact resistance

EPA WaterSense ProgramEPA WaterSense Program

• EPA’s Voluntary Program for EPA’s Voluntary Program for Water EfficiencyWater Efficiency

• Similar to Energy Star Similar to Energy Star ProgramProgram

• Pilot High Efficiency Toilets Pilot High Efficiency Toilets (1.3 gpf)(1.3 gpf)

• High efficiency bathroom High efficiency bathroom faucets (1.5 gpm max flow)faucets (1.5 gpm max flow)

• Shower Heads.Shower Heads.

EPA ETV Program, Water EPA ETV Program, Water Centers and NSF CollaborationCenters and NSF Collaboration

• The EPA founded the ETV program in The EPA founded the ETV program in 1995.1995.

• ETV Program designed to facilitate greater ETV Program designed to facilitate greater acceptance of new technologies.acceptance of new technologies.

• There are 2 ETV Water Centers There are 2 ETV Water Centers

• NSF administers the US EPA’s ETV Drinking NSF administers the US EPA’s ETV Drinking Water Systems Center (DWSC) and the Water Systems Center (DWSC) and the Water Quality Protection Center (WQPC) Water Quality Protection Center (WQPC)

ETV DWS CenterETV DWS CenterHistory and BackgroundHistory and Background• October 1995 - Start of ETV Drinking Water October 1995 - Start of ETV Drinking Water

Systems (DWS) Pilot managed by NSF.Systems (DWS) Pilot managed by NSF.

• October 2000 - Formation of the ETV DWS October 2000 - Formation of the ETV DWS Center managed by NSF.Center managed by NSF.– Evaluate innovative and emerging Evaluate innovative and emerging

technologies like UV in 1998.technologies like UV in 1998.– Focus on small systems technology needs.Focus on small systems technology needs.– State regulatory support.State regulatory support.

• An on-going EPA program with new agreement An on-going EPA program with new agreement 2009. 2009.

Need for Data and Need for Data and Information. Information. • A 1985 study identified barriers to innovative A 1985 study identified barriers to innovative

technology use in drinking water.technology use in drinking water.

• Some are relevant today:Some are relevant today:– Uncertainty of new technology capabilities.Uncertainty of new technology capabilities.– No uniform guidelines for testing.No uniform guidelines for testing.– Exaggerated performance claims.Exaggerated performance claims.– Technologies not tested in a “real world” setting. Technologies not tested in a “real world” setting. – Equipment said to be O&M “free”.Equipment said to be O&M “free”.– Limited EPA involvement in innovative & Limited EPA involvement in innovative &

emerging technology testing.emerging technology testing.

ETV DWS Center Produces ETV DWS Center Produces InformationInformation

• Independence of EPA and NSF.Independence of EPA and NSF.

• Technical efficacy with QA oversight.Technical efficacy with QA oversight.

• Typically performance tested in field when practical.Typically performance tested in field when practical.

• Process information (schematics, capacity, etc.).Process information (schematics, capacity, etc.).

• Ease of operation and operator experience Ease of operation and operator experience evaluation.evaluation.

• Electrical, pre- and post-treatment requirements.Electrical, pre- and post-treatment requirements.

• Consumables: chemicals and power.Consumables: chemicals and power.

• Waste disposal issues.Waste disposal issues.

ETV DWSC Reports, Protocols ETV DWSC Reports, Protocols etc. etc. Verified performance of 30 drinking water Verified performance of 30 drinking water

treatment technologies since 2002, which are treatment technologies since 2002, which are posted on the EPA’s ETV web site: posted on the EPA’s ETV web site: http://www.epa.gov/etv/vt-dws.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/etv/vt-dws.html Membrane Filtration Micro Other Filtration Media Technologies Arsenic technologies (media, RO, chemical Arsenic technologies (media, RO, chemical

coagulation)coagulation) Emergency response and water security systemsEmergency response and water security systems

14 meetings or conference calls with 14 meetings or conference calls with stakeholdersstakeholders

One new UV protocol(10 total)One new UV protocol(10 total)

EPA ETV & NSF Water Quality EPA ETV & NSF Water Quality Protection Center (WQPC)Protection Center (WQPC)• Verify technologies that protect ground- Verify technologies that protect ground-

and surface waters from contamination and surface waters from contamination • Location of 30 technology verifications and Location of 30 technology verifications and

protocols: protocols: www.nsf.org/info/etvwww.nsf.org/info/etv• Center technologies fall into five main Center technologies fall into five main

categories:categories:– Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Decentralized Wastewater Treatment – Watershed Protection Watershed Protection – Urban Infrastructure Rehabilitation Urban Infrastructure Rehabilitation – Wet Weather FlowWet Weather Flow

EPA ETV & NSF WQPC EPA ETV & NSF WQPC TechnologiesTechnologies• Decentralized:Decentralized:

– Wastewater Treatment Technologies (a generic protocol, Wastewater Treatment Technologies (a generic protocol, applicable to a wide range of technologies has been applicable to a wide range of technologies has been developed) developed)

– Nutrient Reduction Technologies Nutrient Reduction Technologies

• Watershed protection: Watershed protection: – Ballast Water Treatment Technologies Ballast Water Treatment Technologies – In-Drain Treatment Technologies In-Drain Treatment Technologies – Mercury Amalgam Removal Technologies Mercury Amalgam Removal Technologies – Solids Separators for Flushed Swine Waste Solids Separators for Flushed Swine Waste – UV Disinfection Technologies for Secondary Effluent and UV Disinfection Technologies for Secondary Effluent and

Reuse Applications Reuse Applications

More EPA ETV & NSF WQPC More EPA ETV & NSF WQPC TechnologiesTechnologies• Urban infrastructure:Urban infrastructure:

– Coatings Coatings – Grouts Grouts – Pipe Liner Materials Pipe Liner Materials

• Wet weather flow technologies:Wet weather flow technologies:– Stormwater Treatment Devices Stormwater Treatment Devices – High-Rate Disinfection (Induction Mixers and High-Rate Disinfection (Induction Mixers and

UV Disinfection) UV Disinfection) – High-Rate Separation High-Rate Separation – Flowmeters Flowmeters – Urban Runoff Models Urban Runoff Models

Regulations for Water Products Regulations for Water Products in the USAin the USA• Federal: Federal:

– EPA through Safe Drinking Water ActEPA through Safe Drinking Water Act– FDA 21 CFR for Bottled Water FDA 21 CFR for Bottled Water

• State:State:– Regulate public water and waste waterRegulate public water and waste water– Storm water controlsStorm water controls– Some regulate plumbingSome regulate plumbing

• Counties: Residential drinking water and Counties: Residential drinking water and waste water and enforce plumbing codes.waste water and enforce plumbing codes.

• Cities – Plumbing and buidling codes.Cities – Plumbing and buidling codes.

Point of Use (POU) and Point of Point of Use (POU) and Point of Entry (POE) Drinking Water Entry (POE) Drinking Water TreatmentTreatment• 1968 U.S. Health Officials and Industry 1968 U.S. Health Officials and Industry

Representatives requested NSF develop StandardsRepresentatives requested NSF develop Standards• Demonstrate product performance.Demonstrate product performance.• Standardize testing and claims.Standardize testing and claims.• NSF Standard 42; Aesthetic Claims.NSF Standard 42; Aesthetic Claims.• NSF Standard 53; Health Claims e.g., NSF Standard 53; Health Claims e.g.,

Cryptosporidium reduction.Cryptosporidium reduction.• NSF Standard 58; Reverse Osmosis.NSF Standard 58; Reverse Osmosis.• NSF Standard 44; Softeners.NSF Standard 44; Softeners.• NSF Standard 62; Distillation.NSF Standard 62; Distillation.• NSF Standard 55; Ultraviolet.NSF Standard 55; Ultraviolet.• NSF Standard 177; Shower Filters.NSF Standard 177; Shower Filters.

POU and POE TechnologiesPOU and POE Technologies

• Carbon typically as a solid blockCarbon typically as a solid block

• Filters for SedimentFilters for Sediment

• Resins for ion exchangeResins for ion exchange

• High pressure membranes like Reverse High pressure membranes like Reverse OsmosisOsmosis

• Ultraviolet radiationUltraviolet radiation

• DistillationDistillation

• Medias for arsenicMedias for arsenic

POU / POE System Types NSF POU / POE System Types NSF CertifiesCertifies• Counter-Top Manual Fill.Counter-Top Manual Fill.• Counter-Top Connected Counter-Top Connected

to Sink Faucet.to Sink Faucet.• Faucet Mount.Faucet Mount.• Personal Water Bottle.Personal Water Bottle.• Plumbed-In Under Plumbed-In Under

Counter.Counter.• Plumbed-In Under Plumbed-In Under

Counter to Separate Counter to Separate Tap.Tap.

• Pour Through Pitcher.Pour Through Pitcher.

What is in a POU POE NSF What is in a POU POE NSF Standard?Standard?• Material safety; no contaminants produced Material safety; no contaminants produced

by the product.by the product.• Structural integrity; water tightness.Structural integrity; water tightness.• Product literature; accurate consumer Product literature; accurate consumer

information.information.• Demonstration of performance for Demonstration of performance for

individual contaminant reduction claims.individual contaminant reduction claims.• Structural Testing Intent: product will not Structural Testing Intent: product will not

structurally fail when subjected to use structurally fail when subjected to use conditions like water pipe pressure conditions like water pipe pressure variability.variability.

Product Literature and Labeling Product Literature and Labeling in a POU POE NSF Certificationin a POU POE NSF Certification

• Installation, operation and maintenance Installation, operation and maintenance instructions for consumers.instructions for consumers.

• Prepared in easy to understand terms.Prepared in easy to understand terms.• Data plate on the product to show key Data plate on the product to show key

information.information.• Performance data sheet so consumer is Performance data sheet so consumer is

fully informed on the products fully informed on the products performance.performance.

Conclusion: Third Party Conclusion: Third Party Certification avoids “buying a Certification avoids “buying a pig in a poke”!pig in a poke”!A common colloquial A common colloquial

expression in the expression in the English Language to English Language to buy a pig in a pokebuy a pig in a poke, , is to make a risky is to make a risky purchase without purchase without inspecting the item inspecting the item beforehand. beforehand. Source WikipediaSource Wikipedia

Third Party Standards requires Third Party Standards requires advancement of science / advancement of science / engineering engineering

““We have to live We have to live today by what today by what truth we can get truth we can get today and be ready today and be ready tomorrow to call it tomorrow to call it falsehood.”  falsehood.”  ~William James~William James

ContactContact

• Contact us:Contact us:– Email Email bartley@nsf.orgbartley@nsf.org..– 800 673 6275 x 5148.800 673 6275 x 5148.– 789 Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.789 Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.

• More information see web pages:More information see web pages:– www.epa.gov/etvwww.epa.gov/etv..– www.nsf.org/etv/info.www.nsf.org/etv/info.