ETV Sector Specific Performance Benchmarking Projects
In addition to technology specific verifications, ETV Canada provides sector- and program-based performance benchmarking services. These services address the need to develop acceptable performance criteria which can be used to establish credible third-party verification of reported performance claims. To date, ETV Canada has managed the following performance benchmarking initiatives:
• Manure Management Technology Performance Verification Program
• Mercury Amalgam Separation Technology Protocol Development
• Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Program
Manure Management Technology Performance Verification Program
Throughout Canada, agricultural livestock operations and the handling of manure have come under increasing scrutiny. To support development and commercialization of manure management technologies, ETV Canada was awarded funding in partnership with:
- Environment Canada
- the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
- Canadian Environmental Technology Advancement Centres (CETACs)
Funding from CanAdapt/Agriculture Adaptation Council is for development of a manure treatment technology screening template, and subsequent selection by a stakeholder panel of 10 'best available technology' manure management applications that will receive financial assistance to complete the ETV Canada verification process.
Mercury Amalgam Separation Technology Protocol Development
Traditionally, mercury amalgam has been discharged from dental operations into sewer systems. More recently, mercury amalgam has come under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) toxics legislation and new technologies must be introduced in all dental facilities to intercept, separate and collect this material. A new market for technology products will result with regulations and by-laws requiring all dental operations to meet certain effluent quality standards. To address this issue, the Canadian Government established a stakeholder group to create a National Standard for mercury amalgam removal. As part of this, ETV Canada was commissioned to prepare a Verification Protocol for Dental Amalgam Recovery Technologies and a Test Plan for Amalgam Separators.
 Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Program
Wells are the main source of clean drinking water in rural Bangladesh. In many parts of Bangladesh, water from those wells is contaminated by naturally occurring arsenic, above safe limits. It is estimated that 85 million people in Bangladesh are at risk. There have been thousands of reported cases of poisoning and it is generally felt that cases continue to be under-reported. The arsenic contamination problem is also serious in neighbouring West Bengal, as well as elsewhere in the region.
 Arsenic Mitigation Program operates under a Bilateral Agreement between the Governments of Canada and Bangladesh.
The main purpose of the program is to test, verify and monitor the field performance of candidate arsenic removal technologies from around the world, designed to remove arsenic from well water. Those that pass the verification process are issued a certificate that allows them to be sold in Bangladesh.
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