Changing Lives Through Clean Water

At AdEdge, we’re proud to call the state of Georgia home, but we don’t hesitate to offer our services to those outside the United States. When we heard about a South American town in dire need of help, we stepped in to assist the 6,000 residents who were being poisoned by their own drinking water.

The untreated water supply in San Antonio de Los Cobres—a remote village deep in the Andes Mountains in Salta, Argentina—had a dangerously high level of arsenic.

Arsenic levels in the tiny village reached up to 290 ppb. To put that in perspective, the World Health Organization’s maximum contaminant level for arsenic is 10 ppb.

Those high levels had heartbreaking effects on the community. The list of health effects stemming from arsenic poisoning included skin, bladder, kidney and lung cancer, as well as diseases of the blood vessels of the legs and feet. Residents also had significantly higher rates of heart failure and numerous other health concerns.

The odorless, tasteless contamination was more than just an inconvenience. It was an epidemic. Life expectancy was so short that younger generations were growing up without ever meeting their grandparents.

In fact, the situation was so bad that it was considered one of the worst cases of arsenic poisoning in South America. That’s when AdEdge stepped in.

Our employee-led non-profit organization Helping Hands For Water sprung into action, partnering with international community service organization His Heart Missions, Aguas del Norte—the water utility that operates the area’s water treatment plant—and the local municipality, to bring life-saving change to the community.

AdEdge implemented a two-step process using our ADGS+ media and granular ferric oxide (GFO) adsorption media. We integrated the community’s existing sodium hypochlorite chemical feed module with the new system, making the town’s only source of drinking water safe for the first time in decades.

AdEdge engineers traveled to the Argentinean town to start up the system—the first of its kind in Argentina—in November 2011. They were accompanied by a documentary crew, and Director Jim Hill and his team captured the process involved in providing safe, clean drinking water to the village in their documentary Troubled Waters, which has recently been shown at film festivals across the country.

Around 9 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2011, the first arsenic-free water was delivered to the town that was once plagued with poisoned drinking water. Since then, tests have shown that the system has significantly reduced the supply’s arsenic levels to less than 5 ppb. Now parents can give their children a glass of water knowing that it won’t make them sick later on.

We’re proud that our system drastically reduced arsenic levels in the town’s drinking water. But most importantly, it significantly improved the quality of life for the nearly 6,000 residents of San Antonio de Los Cobres.

AdEdge and His Heart Missions received an official declaration of thanks from the superintendent of San Antonio de Los Cobres, as a token of gratitude for protecting the community from a lifetime of poisoned drinking water.

As it gets closer to the holiday season, we want to show our thanks for the blessings in our own lives by giving back and improving the quality of life of those around us.

Answers to the Top 10 Questions Customers Ask AdEdge (Part I)

Purchasing a water treatment system can be a daunting task. There are so many variables involved when choosing a partner company and a product, the options can be overwhelming. With some help from AdEdge project engineer Doug Emerick, we’ve compiled a list of 10 common questions our customers ask us before they make a decision.

1. How long has your company been in business?

It’s important to choose a well-established company with time-tested methods and services. At AdEdge, we have been committed to our mission of providing safe, clean water since 2002.

2. Can you provide a list of referrals or notable projects?

You wouldn’t hire an employee without asking about previous experience or checking his or her references, and the same should be done for your water treatment company. AdEdge’s website features an extensive list of case studies for some of our most successful projects. Each case study outlines the technical aspects of the project, and contact information for both the AdEdge engineer and the client are listed at the bottom, if you’d like to reach out for additional information.

3. Will your system be compatible with my site?

AdEdge offers systems for public, municipal and industrial applications. The compact design of our systems allows them to adapt to even the most challenging site conditions. Additionally, when time, space, and cost are an issue, we offer the WaterPod containerized treatment system with many customizable features—such as doors, windows, and HVAC units—to adapt to your site’s custom needs.

4. What contaminants do your systems treat?

Finding a system that treats the contaminants found in your water is just as important as finding a system compatible with your site. We offer systems that treat a number of contaminants including hydrogen sulfide, arsenic, iron and manganese, uranium, nitrates, fluoride, radium and turbidity. Our media and technology often allow us to remove a combination of contaminants in one simple process.

5. Where are your systems manufactured?

Locally manufactured systems give customers the peace of mind that their products will be cared for long after they leave the production facility. As of 2010, we manufacture nearly 100 percent of our own systems.

6. What is your typical start-up process?

The start-up process can be intimidating and it’s helpful to choose a company that will assist you every step of the way. Before starting up your system, an AdEdge representative will review the status of your site before scheduling a startup. At the startup site visit, a representative will install your system by loading the media, backwashing, and verifying the forward flow. After the AdEdge technician trains the operator on the system, your system is ready to start producing clean water!

7. What type of technical support is provided after the system is started up?

If you need technical assistance with your system, you need to find a company with a knowledgeable team that cares. AdEdge’s technical support team monitors and tracks each issue until the customer is satisfied. If it warrants a site visit, an AdEdge representative will come out and assist with your technical issue until it is resolved.

8. Do you provide an equipment warranty with your systems?

Water treatment systems are often large financial investments and it’s important to ensure that your investment is protected, should something go wrong.  With AdEdge systems, a one-year equipment/workmanship warranty comes standard and begins at the startup of your system.

9. Do you provide media replacement services?

Some companies will sell you a system and then leave you to fend for yourself when it’s time to replace the media. Not only do we provide media replacement services, but while we are replacing your media, we will also perform an overall component inspection of your system to ensure that it is running smoothly and efficiently.

10. How many of your systems are installed in the U.S. and other countries?

If a company has a quality, high-performance product, you should be able to see it in the numbers. We have more than 400 systems in action throughout North America, as well as countries including China, Indonesia, Chile and Argentina.

Get Rid of the Red

AD26 system in Corona, N.M.

At AdEdge, we’ve found that the number one issue our customers have is dealing with iron and manganese contaminations. And it’s easy to see why.

Although iron and manganese are secondary contaminants and not a health risk, they manage to offend most of the senses. Water contaminated with iron has an unpleasant metallic taste. The water itself is typically clear as it comes out of the faucet, but if left exposed to oxygen, it can turn an unappealing rusty color.

The water can also leave an ugly red-brown stain on appliances, plumbing fixtures and clothing. An iron and manganese contamination can damage pipes, causing corrosion and discoloration. When used in cooking, it can turn vegetables a dark color, and it can turn your coffee and tea black, with unpleasant flavors all around.

If you’re not a fan of bitter tea and rusty clothing, AdEdge has some options to rid your water supply of iron and manganese. 

While effective at removing hydrogen sulfide, the AD26 and ADGS+ media are also useful in removing iron and manganese.  We’ve implemented hundreds of systems with both types of media and have had incredibly successful results.

The AD26 system we installed for the Village of Corona, N.M. drastically reduced the iron and manganese levels that were making washing dishes, doing laundry and taking a shower difficult. Another AD26 system, at the McGraw Hill data center in East Windsor, N.J., receives water nearly 22 hours per day to treat up to 110 gallons of water per minute to reduce the iron and manganese levels below the treatment goals.

In Aurora, Ore., AdEdge started up a system using ADGS+ media to treat an iron and manganese contamination, as well as elevated arsenic levels. The system has since reduced all three contaminants to well below the treatment goals.

Let the proven success of one of AdEdge’s systems work for your water supply, to get rid of iron and manganese for good. 

Rid Your Water Supply of Uranium

Uranium Treatment System

Uranium is a tricky contaminant. It doesn’t have a unique scent, like hydrogen sulfide, and it doesn’t turn your clothing and water fixtures red, like iron and manganese. But while it may be odorless and colorless, uranium is far from harmless. Over time, exposure to uranium in drinking water can damage the kidneys due to the high metal content.

The only way to know if your supply is contaminated is to take a sample and test for this sneaky contaminant. And you don’t necessarily need to live near a nuclear reactor to have uranium in your drinking water. Uranium occurs naturally in rocks and soil, where it can creep into the groundwater and finally make its way into your drinking water.

If you find that your water supply has a high level of uranium, AdEdge can help. Using the AD92 IX anion exchange media, you can safely and effectively remove uranium without going over budget.

AdEdge offers two performance options for the AD92 IX media, which can change based on the requirements of your site.

If your site has a sewer discharge, leach field or another method of wastewater discharge, AdEdge offers a regeneration option for the AD92 IX. The spherical resin beads are passed through a sodium chloride brine, removing the uranium and allowing the media to be reused for several years. The result is a non-hazardous liquid product that can be easily disposed of. This is also the most cost-effective solution, as your site can take care of disposal without using an outside facility.

For sites without a method of wastewater discharge, the media itself can also be discarded. While the life cycle of the media in this scenario varies based on water quality and uranium concentration, one batch can last from one to five years before replacement is needed. Samples are typically taken quarterly to test the uranium concentration of the resin, and once the media is ready to be replaced AdEdge will work with the site operator to dispose this low-level radioactive waste at an appropriate facility.

Don’t let this stealthy mineral sneak up and attack your water supply. Regular testing can help spot a uranium contamination and AdEdge can help eliminate it.

Click here to see how AdEdge removed uranium from the water supply of a California casino.

AdEdge Removes Nitrates in Industrial Application

Whether you require a drinking water, mining, remediation or industrial application, AdEdge can design a system that best fits your needs. Here’s one example of how we rehabilitated the industrial water supply of a Pennsylvania plant.

In July 2011, after a competitive bidding process, AdEdge was selected by CET Engineering Services and a confidential client to design a nitrate removal system for a food processing plant in Lancaster County, Penn. The plant’s raw water had a nitrate level of 14 mg/L, which far exceeded the EPA’s limits. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause health issues for vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women and the elderly.

“Occasional nitrate levels above the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 mg/L meant that employees had to be provided with bottled water as an alternative to drinking the tap water,” said Peter Lusardi, P.E., BCEE, senior project manager at CET.

According to Lusardi, AdEdge was chosen for the project for their outstanding customer support, high quality materials and affordable pricing.

The unique, custom-designed and manufactured AdEdge system uses the ADNO3 IX resin to bring the nitrate level below the MCL. These spherical beads are incorporated within a portion of the water for treatment. The treated water is then combined with the untreated water to attain a blended nitrate concentration at or below the treatment goal of 8 mg/L.

This system also uses a brine regeneration system, which uses sodium chloride to remove the nitrates from the resin, allowing for years of use. Not only is this a highly efficient method for contaminant removal, it also helps reduce cost and hazardous waste.

And the system has been a huge success. Since the system was started up in December 2011, the nitrate level has been consistently reduced from 14 mg/L to well below the treatment goal.

“The system and water supply are working fine,” Lusardi said. “We are pleased with the results and I would specify [AdEdge’s] equipment in the future.”

For more information about how AdEdge can help you, visit our website. 

Control Your System with InGenius™

At AdEdge, we realize that every site is unique, which is why we custom design all of our systems to fit your requirements and goals. The same custom attention we show to our treatment systems extends to the control panels we install inside them. Our InGenius™ Programmable Logic Control systems are perfect for monitoring and controlling every aspect of your water treatment unit in one easy-to-use control panel.

The InGenius^™ system works with any AdEdge product and can even adapt to work with your existing or additional supplemental equipment. Where a traditional system would typically require an extra control panel for each function, the InGenius system combines them onto one control panel with a color touch screen.

InGenius^™ is so easy to operate, the chance of making a costly mistake is almost nonexistent. There are no complicated bells and whistles for operators to learn, compared to a traditional system, which saves time and money.

Each InGenius^™ system also goes through an extensive quality control process to ensure that you’re getting the best possible product. These comprehensive tests ensure that the control panel works seamlessly with your customized treatment system.

“They are designed to meet the customer’s specific site needs,” says Antonio Inojal, project manager for AdEdge, “and AdEdge provides feedback during the design process to ensure design is in line with the customer’s requirements.”

InGenius^™ isn’t just the name of our product; it’s the philosophy behind it.

Click here to see how a system equipped with the InGenius^™ PLC removed arsenic and iron from the water supply of a Canadian resort village.

Say Goodbye to Sulfide

Does this scenario sound familiar? A customer turns on the faucet, expecting to enjoy a clean, refreshing glass of water. Instead, they are assaulted by the disgustingly familiar scent of rotten eggs. Before long, phone calls are flooding in with complaints about foul-smelling water.

Most likely, you’ve got a case of a hydrogen sulfide contamination. And although hydrogen sulfide is more annoying than it is dangerous, it is not something you want hanging around your drinking water. Luckily, AdEdge can help eliminate this nuisance contaminant and return your water to a state of purity.

Before beginning treatment on any kind of water contamination, a comprehensive water analysis should be performed to determine the type and quantity of the contaminant. Once this is determined, treatment can begin.

AdEdge offers a number of solutions for hydrogen sulfide contaminations. The AdEdge AD26 and AD GS+ media remove hydrogen sulfide, along with a variety of other contaminants, and improve overall water quality—all in one simple process.

AD26 uses an NSF 61 certified solid phase oxidation mineral and can be incorporated with one of AdEdge’s APU, modular or integrated membrane systems. It does not require the addition of unwanted dissolved solids and does not generate any hazardous waste. By administering a low does of chlorine, the removal process is enhanced and the surface of the media is oxidized, preventing the buildup of solids.

The AD GS+ media is a black filter media used for removing hydrogen sulfide, as well as iron, manganese, arsenic and radium. Systems with GS+ may be designed using vertical, horizontal, or open gravity filters and the GS+ is effective at higher operating temperatures and differential pressures than ordinary media.

AdEdge has implemented hundreds of these systems and both are proven to reduce hydrogen sulfide concentrations to non-detectable levels, resulting in clean-smelling water and happy customers.

That rotten egg smell should come from the trash, not your drinking water. Let one of AdEdge’s treatment solutions improve the quality of your water supply.

Click here to see how AdEdge removed sulfide from a small community’s water supply.