Groundwater remediation specialist EnviroMetal Technologies Inc. (ETI) has reached an agreement with the University of Waterloo in Canada to commercialize a new onsite reactive treatment technology for removal of hazardous inorganic contaminants in groundwater.

ETI plans to commercialize the process for applications in Europe and the United Kingdom.

The technology, which compliments ETI’s existing permeable reactive barrier technology for organic contaminants, can effectively remove hazardous trace metals (chromium, arsenic and lead), and radionuclides, from groundwater, says the company.

"There are already several potential applications which we know of at existing industrial facilities and brownfield redevelopment sites, where this technology may be applied in the next twelve to eighteen months," said John Vogan, president of ETI.

The patent-protected process involves the placement of specifically tailored reactive materials onsite to remediate hazardous groundwater contaminants. Because it represents a long-term passive treatment solution, the technology is more cost-effective than other alternatives. Trace metal removal systems have been implemented by the university at over 20 sites in the USA and Canada.

ETI is a leader in remediation of contaminated groundwater, with experience in more than 150 applications of permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) and other treatment zone configurations.