No Silver Bullets for Treating Emerging Water Pollutants

BOSTON, MA, May 27 (MARKET WIRE) --
A rising tide of stark headlines threatening untold health risks from
emerging water pollutants has helped buoy interest in a host of new water
treatment technologies. The latest report from Lux Research, however,
reviews the candidates and concludes a portfolio approach is wiser than
trying to pick a single breakthrough winner.

The report, titled "Emerging Pollutants: Myth and Reality," notes that
even if government regulations imposed new water treatment methods
tomorrow, no currently available or emerging technology provides blanket
protection against the multitude of suspected pollutants.

"Despite interest surrounding the new crop of water treatment
technologies, none of them offer a panacea with regard to the growing
list of candidate pollutants," said Heather Landis, a Lux Research
analyst and the lead author of the report. "Smart investors will
therefore take a portfolio approach rather than trying to pick which
technology will win out in the end."

Emerging pollutants could number in the hundreds. But they fall into two
categories -- chemical and microbial -- and most of them cannot be removed
by conventional treatment technologies like chemical coagulation or
sedimentation. This has fueled interest in a host of alternative
technologies like ozone, advanced oxidation processes, membranes,
activated carbon, biological filtration and ion exchange.

In preparing its report, Lux studied government lists of candidate
pollutants in the U.S., European Union, Australia and Japan, and
identified 32 substances that are most likely to face regulation within
the next five years. To determine which treatment technologies make the
best candidates for its recommended portfolio approach, the report drew
on research studies, expert interviews and peer-reviewed articles about
18 different technologies to identify how effective each performed at
removing pollutants. It also measured each technology's capital cost,
operating cost, energy requirements, and process understanding. Among its
key
findings:

-- Three technologies provide a relatively broad spectrum of treatment.
Ozone, biological activated carbon filters and reverse osmosis provide the
broadest spectrum of treatment, removing at least ten of the 32 pollutants
studied.

-- Don't rule out technologies that provide a narrower spectrum of
treatment. Ion and magnetic ion exchange, granular activated carbon, UV,
ultrafiltration and membrane bioreactors are effective for at least one
emerging pollutant. However, their effectiveness in select applications
positions them as high-growth options in a portfolio approach.

-- Most water treatment start-ups focused on treating emerging pollutants
will fail. Pollution mitigation technologies able to treat a broader range
of pollutants, or that offer an alternative use in the water treatment
space offer a more sustainable business model, and are more likely to
survive.

"Emerging Pollutants: Myth and Reality" is part of Lux Research's
Water Intelligence service. Clients subscribing to this service receive
continuous research on water industry market trends and forecasts, ongoing
technology scouting reports and proprietary data points in the weekly Lux
Research Water Journal and on-demand inquiry with Lux Research analysts.

About Lux Research

Lux Research provides strategic advice and on-going intelligence for
emerging technologies. Leaders in business, finance and government rely on
us to help them make informed strategic decisions. Through our unique
research approach focused on primary research and our extensive global
network, we deliver insight, connections and competitive advantage to our
clients. Visit www.luxresearchinc.com for more information.

Contact:
Carole Jacques
Lux Research, Inc.
617-502-5314
carole.jacques@luxresearchinc.com

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