The Olivenhain Municipal Water District in San Diego, CA, has agreed to conduct a trial of a new waterborne microorganism detection and alert system in conjunction with the California Department of Health Services.
OMWD will use three Beta models of the BioSentry™ from JMAR Technologies to continuously monitor the purity of water at various points in its treatment plant.
The BioSentry™ is a laser-based early-warning system designed to provide continuous, automated monitoring of drinking water. It reportedly can detect and classify waterborne microorganisms in real time.
According to the company’s website (www.jamar.com), the system is designed to monitor all water with normal background particle counts of less than 10000 per mL and can detect parasitic oocysts, vegetative bacteria and algae within minutes of occurrence. A 6 liter/hour test stream is used without the need for reagents.
The OMWD serves approximately 58,000 residents of northern San Diego County and processes about 34 mgd. Beta model BioSentry units will be positioned in the plant to monitor raw influent water, treated effluent water, and distribution system water.
