Amherst Installs Innovative Groundwater Treatment System

Source: amherstma.gov

The Town of Amherst, in partnership with Elateq Inc., installed a new solar-powered groundwater treatment system that will cut energy use by an estimated 72% and address high iron concentration in the water drainage system. This project, located in the Pine Grove and Hollow neighborhood, will pilot Elateq’s innovative technology while leading to an estimated 80% reduction in operational costs including a 90% decrease in energy expenses for the Town of Amherst. 

“The Town is excited to be working with Elateq to pilot test this innovative groundwater treatment system,” said Elizabeth Willson, Environmental Scientist for the Amherst Department of Public Works. “The passive reactive barrier system will remove dissolved iron which will protect downstream utility infrastructure from getting clogged and damaged by iron precipitates. The current treatment method at this location, an infiltration tank built in the 1980s, is not separating and removing the iron efficiently anymore.” 

Elateq, Inc., an advanced water treatment company, installed their groundwater treatment system underground in a manhole on Crossbrook Road. This system is powered by solar panels installed on a nearby garage roof by Valley Solar. The project implementation and monitoring will be coordinated and executed with the Amherst Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).  

“This installation is a step towards Elateq transforming the global water treatment industry by introducing our revolutionary technology. We envision our technologies across multiple markets, offering sustainable solutions, such as for this municipal project, industrial applications including ‘forever chemicals’ removal, desalination, and valuable resource extraction,” said Roderick Anderson, CEO and co-founder of Elateq, Inc.

High iron concentrations, which are naturally occurring in the soil across Amherst, are found in the current groundwater drainage in the Pine Grove and Hollow neighborhood. This iron can contaminate the groundwater. This contaminated ground water cannot be released into the environment, so in the 1980s, a drainage system was installed to collect this iron-laden water and direct it to an underground infiltration tank. When the tank overflows, the water goes into the town sewage system where the iron has been clogging pipes and damaging infrastructure, causing expensive maintenance and repairs. Laboratory testing of the Elateq system shows 99.99% removal of the iron which will prevent any further damage. 

There are many anticipated benefits of this project for the town. Elateq’s solar-powered technology is expected to deliver a remarkable 72% energy savings compared to the traditional pump-and-treat methods. The installed unit is projected to save 125 MWh over its 30-year operational lifespan, along with an estimated 80% reduction in operational costs for the town.   

This project is supported by a $67,250 InnovateMass Grant awarded to Elateq Inc. by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC). The town is contributing a 20% match of $17,300, bringing the total project funding to $84,550. The InnovateMass program provides grant funding and technical support to applicant teams deploying new clean energy technologies or innovative combinations of existing technologies with a strong potential for commercialization.  

“This project exemplifies how innovative climate tech solutions can deliver tangible benefits to local communities,” said Leslie Nash, Senior Program Director at Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. “MassCEC grantee Elateq and the Town of Amherst are showcasing how clean energy innovation can reduce costs, strengthen and protect infrastructure, and promote environmental sustainability. It’s a powerful demonstration of how local action can drive broader impact.” 

Elateq, Inc. is a woman, veteran, and minority-owned company that provides advanced electrochemical technologies for water treatment. With a mission to revolutionize the water processing industry and protect global water resources, the company offers chemical-free, easy-to-operate and maintain, sustainable compliance solutions for water discharge or potable and non-potable reuse. Elateq, Inc. is a Massachusetts-based company. Learn more at elateq.com