Membrane Filtration Development for Environmental (Aqueous) Matrices

Laboratory procedures for monitoring disinfection; pollution and contamination are continuously refined to reflect improvements in technologies; efficiencies and public health risks. The Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR Part 136.3 Table1A) includes Multiple Tube Fermentation (MTF) and Membrane Filtration (MF) among methods approved for environmental microbial monitoring. Many utilities are challenged with developing effective mechanisms to harness innovations and newer methods for various reasons. However, the coastal location of the City of Santa Cruz and the responsibility to environmental concerns are among the primary drivers for laboratory analyses at the City of Santa Cruz WWTF. This paper provides a comprehensive account of MF methods in comparison with MPN methods across a wide variety of environmental waters (Wastewater; Lagoon water; Marine Water and other recreational water). Finally, cost-effectiveness comparisons presented at WEFTEC 1994 by the City of San Jose, California, are being directly applied to the City of Cruz, California for this presentation.