ORLANDO, Fla., June 14, 2004 -- Trojan Technologies Inc. (TSX/TUV) announced today, at the American Water Works Association (AWWA) 2004 Annual Conference and Exposition in Orlando, Fla., that it has been selected to provide a water-treatment solution that will leave a good taste in the mouths of Cornwall, Ontario residents. The Cornwall project represents a breakthrough in the new market for the combined disinfection and taste and odor treatment of drinking water.
"Unpleasant taste and odor compounds caused by algae blooms are a problem in many cities' drinking water, especially in the late summer months," said Trojan's President and CEO Marvin DeVries. "Now, Trojan Technologies can both disinfect municipal drinking water and also remove the foul taste and smell."
No other single solution can offer the two-in-one powerful capability of Trojan UV-oxidation - the combination of ultraviolet light and hydrogen peroxide - to treat municipal drinking water. Ozonation and adsorption using powdered activated carbon are treatment processes normally used to solve taste and odor problems. But these processes are more costly for the city.
The system, valued at approximately US$700,000, which will be installed in the City of Cornwall, in eastern Ontario, is a good example of how UV-oxidation is a win-win for municipalities. New government regulations require improved disinfection of drinking water. But the water supplies of many cities are also impacted by taste and odor causing compounds - specifically Geosmin and MIB - that produce the malodorous compounds. While these compounds are not harmful, they cause the water to taste and smell earthy and musty causing the water to be unpleasant to drink.
"In recent years, in late summer, we run into unpleasant taste and odors in our drinking water," said Morris McCormick, Cornwall's Environmental Services Division Manager. "The Trojan equipment will give us the ability to ensure the water is disinfected while also overcoming these taste and odor issues. And the solution comes at a very favorable cost to the city."
Recent company studies have demonstrated that Trojan technology is easily cost-competitive with other water-treatment technologies, simply because the UV-hydrogen peroxide combination allows a municipality to tackle disinfection and taste and odor problems at the same time. The TrojanUVSwift™ECT municipal drinking water treatment system will allow the city of about 50,000 people to treat up to 22 million gallons (100,000 cubic meters) of water each day.
The Cornwall project also underlines the synergies gained from Trojan's recent 51% acquisition of California-based U.S. Peroxide, LLC, the largest provider of hydrogen peroxide for environmental applications in North America. U.S. Peroxide played a vital role in coming up with the best solution to tackle Cornwall's drinking water issues.
The combination of UV and hydrogen peroxide provides a very effective solution. Ultraviolet light irradiates hydrogen peroxide within the water supply. This creates strongly oxidizing hydroxyl radicals that attack contaminants. Simultaneously, UV light disinfects the water, protecting against pathogens.
Trojan systems use a series of specialized lamps that produce ultraviolet light. In addition to creating hydroxyl radicals, this UV energy destroys water-borne pathogens, such as E. coli, Giardia and Cryptosporidium. UV does not form dangerous by-products, such as trihalomethanes (THMs), and is environmentally clean and safe. There are no toxic chemicals and no risk of chlorine gas leaks.
Trojan designs, manufactures and sells UV systems for municipal wastewater and drinking water facilities, as well as for the industrial, commercial and residential markets. The company also provides UV treatment for the removal of certain chemicals from water. With approximately 3800 municipal facilities in more than 50 countries using its technology, Trojan has the largest installed base of UV systems in the world. Headquartered in London, Ontario, Canada, the company also has offices in the U.K., Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and the U.S. Its shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol TUV.
