BioLargo’s AOS water treatment technology is designed to
offer effective, energy-efficient disinfection for water and wastewater. As of
this writing, the AOS is at the stage of transitioning from demonstration
pilots to commercial trials. We hope that soon, the AOS will be enabling
affordable wastewater treatment and reuse for customers across the continent.
Given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we often get asked how
our AOS technology could help address viral water disinfection. Today we want
to share our thoughts on this subject.
Water and wastewater are well-known to be a potential
transmission route for viruses – typically enteric viruses (those that cause
gastrointestinal illnesses). In fact, enteric viruses such as adenovirus, rotavirus,
and norovirus are significant contributors to the millions of deaths from diarrhea
that occur each year, with rotavirus being the leading cause of acute diarrhea
in children under the age of five (Gall, et al, 2015).
Coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2, and
influenza have been detected in wastewater, although transmission to humans
from wastewater has not yet been documented (WHO,
2011).
BioLargo Water anticipates that the current Covid-19
pandemic will create momentum for more widespread,
effective viral water disinfection systems, as existing dominant water
disinfection technologies like UV and chlorination have potential shortcomings
in eliminating viruses (Simmons
and Xagoraraki, 2011), in addition to typically being costly and/or energy
inefficient.
BioLargo Water’s AOS water treatment technology has already
been proven effective in inactivating and removing viruses when tested using standard
laboratory virus surrogates like MS2. The system’s active disinfecting agents –
iodine compounds – have a long history of safe, effective use against viruses. To
that end, BioLargo Water presents the AOS as an effective, affordable,
and energy-efficient option for viral water disinfection in a new age of
increased scrutiny on public health measures. The company is actively
seeking funding – both public and through private investment – to prove its
technology works against SARS-CoV-2.
We are entering a new era of public awareness and heightened
expectations on public health measures. BioLargo Water anticipates that the
increased scrutiny on disinfection measures will be a major market driver for
new and existing disinfection technologies, and the company intends to help
fill new market gaps for highly effective, cost-effective solutions.
BioLargo Water currently has a crowdfunding opportunity open on the WaterWorks Crowdfunding platform through its parent company BioLargo Water Investment Group. To learn more about this opportunity to invest in BioLargo Water, go to www.waterworksfund.com.
