System Performance

The basic water treatment processes used by the system, as well as the COTS components of the system, have been thoroughly tested by government and private sector institutions established to set and enforce drinking water standards. In addition, the HydroSecure Water System is the only technology to be tested against live chemical warfare agents in government supported tests.

The Department of Defense, Combating Terrorism Technical Support Working Group (TSWG) (www.tswg.gov) supported the applied research to tailor and demonstrate the system for U.S. embassies. The TSWG testing and analysis confirmed that the HydroSecure system could meet or exceed safe drinking water standards, even when challenged with extreme levels of contamination.

Challenge Data — In particular, HydroSecure defeats a wide range of contaminants, including industrial and agricultural chemicals, hallucinogens, and weapons grade chemical and biological agents:

1. Biological – The system defeats bacteria, viruses, and spores, whether the source is a deliberate attack, an accident, or naturally occurring water supply contamination. The system has been demonstrated to be effective (meeting USEPA Safe Drinking Water Standards) against a full range of biological threats including:
1. Cryptosporidium
2. Giardia
3. Norwalk‑like viruses and other human caliciviruses
4. Spore forming gram‑positive bacteria (e.g., Bacillus subtilis)
5. Gram‑negative bacteria (e.g., E. coli, Legionella)
6. Biological toxins such as botulinum or ricin
2. Chemical – The system defeats military and industrial chemicals and toxins. The HydroSecure demonstrated unprecedented success (again meeting the relevant USEPA standards and military standards) in government‑sponsored tests demonstrating the ability to destroy a range of potential chemical threats such as:
1. Chemical warfare agents (Sarin, VX, Mustard)
2. Industrial/agricultural chemicals (cyanide, pesticides, herbicides)
3. Hallucinogens (ephedrine, LSD)
3. Radiological – The system is designed to capture particulate‑based radiological contamination and heavy metals, with an optional detection unit to identify stronger radiation sources and shut down the system to protect facility occupants. This capability utilizes proven technologies supported by extensive scientific and technical literature.

Sustainability — The TSWG testing included long‑term operations and simulated flow and power fluctuations to demonstrate the rugged construction, low maintenance, ease of operations, and durability. In addition to weeks of laboratory sustainability testing, the system operated for nearly a year in field deployment tests providing full service water on a 24‑7 basis for a high security facility in Washington, DC. This testing supports the capability for long service life during deployment in remote or challenging operating environments.

Results Availability — The results of the challenge tests are summarized above; however, the detailed results are classified. Government agencies may request those results from TSWG (contact Colonel Jim Ball, USAF–Ret [techtrans@cox.net]).