US Geological Survey in Reston, VA, is soliciting inquiries from companies interested in collaborating to further develop or licensing rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued as exclusive or nonexclusive, and may include specific fields of use. USGS is not providing any funding in conjunction with the potential license. Technology title, "Safe, Directional, Drought-resistant Dug Well," US patent application 14/488,097. Opportunity. In northern New England, water from private wells often contains naturally occurring contaminants, such as arsenic, at concentrations that exceed the USEPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) for drinking water. Residents who use drilled bedrock wells may find that they require expensive treatment to reduce exposure to arsenic; however, many people do not treat, treat incorrectly, or do not maintain their treatment systems. The shallow glacial aquifer can provide a safe alternate water source, but, traditionally designed dug wells, constructed in these sediments frequently have low yields and are susceptible to bacterial contamination. A newly designed shallow well has the potential to provide water without high arsenic while also providing high yields and protection from bacterial contamination. The new USGS well design uses a trench filled with crushed stone, constructed in glacial sediment, in which a 6-inch diameter (potable-water grade PVC) well casing with horizontal collectors is installed. The constructed aquifer is capped by an impermeable geotextile fabric and is covered with low-permeability materials to prevent bacterial contamination. The large volume of water that can collect in the constructed aquifer, along with the large vertical area through which groundwater can flow in to the well, provides a much greater well yield than traditional dug wells, while maintaining sanitary conditions. The shallow groundwater, which is generally well oxygenated and slightly acidic, inhibits arsenic mobility and provides clean water to the well. To express interest in this opportunity, please respond to
[email protected] with the title of this technology in the subject line. Include your preferred contact information and the nature of your interest in the technology along with a brief background of your company. For more information about other USGS technologies available for licensing, please visit http://www.usgs.gov/tech-transfer/available_patents.html These responses are provided to members of USGS's Office of Policy & Analysis for the purpose of promoting public awareness of USGS owned technologies and conducting market research to determine commercial interest. If direct licensing interest results from this posting, USGS will follow the required formal licensing process. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from the responses to this notice.