Rapid Analysis Platform for the Evaluation of Fecal Coliforms, Chemical & Biological Oxygen Demands, and Total Organic Carbon in Wastewater

The U.S. Army is currently developing mobile wastewater treatment solutions reducing the need for wastewater removal from field-forward and tactical bases. Treatment process verification measurements are required to satisfy EPA regulations for the discharge of wastewater with common water quality assessments including fecal coliform load, biochemical and chemical oxygen demands, and total organic carbon. Using standard analytical techniques to monitor these measures of water quality typically requires a combination of lengthy test durations, technical expertise, sensitive instrumentation, and production of hazardous wastes. Leveraging experience with water analysis, fecal coliform quantification assays, and encapsulated microbe based sensors, Luna Innovations has designed an automated platform for analysis of each measure in near real-time with minimal operational requirements or expertise. During the Phase I program proposed herein, Luna will demonstrate feasibility while advancing existing technologies to demonstrate fecal coliform and biological oxygen demand analysis. Phase II development will include integration of chemical oxygen demand and total organic carbon analyses, system fabrication, testing and validation.