AWWA WQTC58791

As part of the AWWARF Project 2593, Inactivation of Pathogens by Innovative UV Technologies (PI: Professor James P. Malley), a "Round Robin" ultraviolet (UV) disinfection test was conducted among the participating laboratories to estimate the level of uncertainty in the performance of the so-called collimated beam UV test for MS2 coliphage and refine a protocol for determining the UV sensitivity of microorganisms. The following preparations were conducted prior to testing: a detailed Experimental Protocol was drafted out and vetted by all participants; all radiometers were sent to be calibrated at the same time (in addition, one radiometer was sent around to each of the other laboratories for direct comparison of readings, and finally, all radiometers were tested on site using the KI/KIO₃ actinometer (Rahn, 1997) protocol developed by the research team); and, the MS2 stock and E. coli host were prepared in one laboratory (MWD) and shipped to all others by overnight courier. Two Round Robin series were conducted, one in March 2001 and the second in January 2003. The results of these tests are presented here and compared among the participating laboratories. In addition, the results are compared with the limits set by the National Water Research Institute (NWRI) / American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF) Guidelines for MS2 testing. list. Includes 7 references, tables, figures, appendix.