Microvi’s Commercial Plant Brings Millions of Gallons of Clean Water to Arizona

Access to clean and safe drinking water is a basic necessity of life, but it is a scarce resource in many parts of the world. With growing populations and increased demands for water, it is essential to find sustainable solutions to address the challenges of water scarcity and contamination. Microvi, a transformative biology company, has taken a significant step towards this goal by partnering with the City of Goodyear in Arizona to launch the state’s first groundwater biological nitrate treatment system.

Nitrate pollution in groundwater is a serious problem that affects millions of people globally. High levels of nitrate can lead to severe health issues, including cancer, and pose a risk to vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and infants. Therefore, it is crucial to develop effective solutions that can remove nitrate from groundwater and provide clean water to the communities.

Microvi’s commercial plant in Goodyear uses their modular and scalable MNE™ technology and bioreactor to treat nitrate in groundwater. The system has been operational since the fall of 2022 and has consistently treated the nitrate in groundwater to a concentration below 3 mg/L, exceeding drinking water quality standards. With a small footprint and no secondary waste stream, the plant can clean millions of gallons of water, making it a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution.

The City of Goodyear’s investment in Microvi’s commercial groundwater treatment system shows their commitment to providing clean and safe drinking water to their residents. Barbara Chappell, Goodyear Water Services Director, said, “Goodyear’s new biological treatment system helps meet the water quality goals of our growing city. The system has been easy to implement and has provided a cost-effective solution for our customers.”

The construction of the plant was done by Felix, a full-service contractor focused on water and wastewater projects in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Archie Lopez, President of Felix Construction, said, “We were thrilled to have played a role in the historic delivery and installation of a Microvi system in Arizona. We take pride in our unwavering commitment to building new and innovative projects that serve our community’s needs.”

Microvi’s commercial product has been implemented in California and Arizona, and they aim to expand their reach to other regions facing similar water challenges. Dr. Fatemeh Shirazi, CEO of Microvi, said, “For the last decade, Microvi has focused on bringing real solutions for massive water issues around the globe. We could not be prouder to offer solutions that positively impact the lives of people and the environment. Microvi’s commercial product has now been implemented both in California and Arizona. We are excited by the adoption of our technology, as it is bringing new solutions to the water industry.”

Microvi is a transformative biology company based in the San Francisco Bay Area that delivers next-generation biotechnologies for the water, wastewater, bio-based chemicals, biofuels, and biopharma industries. Their focus on developing innovative solutions to global water issues has earned them recognition and several awards, including being named one of the Top 50 water companies in the world by The Artemis Project.

With water scarcity becoming a global concern, it is essential to develop sustainable and effective solutions to ensure access to clean water for all. Microvi’s commercial plant in Goodyear is a significant step towards this goal and serves as a model for other regions facing similar water challenges. The success of the project highlights the potential of innovative biotechnologies to address global water issues and promote a sustainable future.