Natural Treatment Systems A Water Quality Match for Oregon s Cities and Towns

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1 Oregon Natural Treatment Systems for Wastewater Natural Treatment Systems A Water Quality Match for Oregon s Cities and Towns June, 2014 Oregon Department of Environmental Quality 1

2 Natural Treatment Systems Excellent match for meeting the wastewater treatment needs of Oregon communities Effective Often easier to maintain Cheaper to operate Good match for much of rural Oregon Work in urban settings also Collaborative process ACWA/DEQ Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 2

3 What is a Natural Treatment System? Constructed wetlands Recycled water Irrigation Commercial uses Tree farms Hybrid poplar Indirect discharge Water quality trading Wastewater ponds Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 3

4 Why Natural Treatment Systems? Derive value from treated wastewater Build upon rural Oregon skill set Agriculture and forestry skills Minimize chemical use Lower energy costs Simpler to install and operate Minimal dependence on mechanical processes Can be less expensive to operate Meet environmental requirements at lower costs Provide multiple benefits to meet a number of community needs Some can be designed to have a simpler State-Only water quality permit Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 4

5 Natural Systems - Science Based Bacterial decomposition Natural aeration & cooling Settling of particles Metals decrease through uptake by plants & soil Nutrient uptake by plants Filtration by gravels and other media Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 5

6 Illustration Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 6

7 Wetland Treatment Free Water Surface Visually resemble natural marshes Vegetated Submerged Bed No standing water Benefits Wildlife habitat Recreational opportunities Environmental education Park like setting Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 7

8 Phyto Treatment Recycled Water Effluent used to irrigate fields, golf courses Pasture, fodder Plants uptake nutrients, soil filters out particles Tree farms Effluent used to grow poplars Sale of wood can offset costs Benefits Uses treated water Conserves potable water Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 8

9 Indirect Discharge Infiltrate treated effluent into the sands and gravels near the riverbed Mimics the natural processes of side channel and floodplain discharges in a river system Additional treatment Naturally cools Benefits Additional treatment through natural systems Keeps flow in river Treats a variety of pollutants Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 9

10 Water Quality Trading Restoration of natural areas Riparian restoration generates water quality trading credits Improved environmental performance Riparian restoration decreases temperature AND reduces a number of other pollutants Sediment Nutrients Oregon utilities using water quality trading Improve environmental outcome Save ratepayer dollars Benefits Multiple environmental benefits More cost effective than mechanical systems for temperature and nutrient removal Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 10

11 Wastewater Pond Systems Natural treatment Recycled water use in summer Some discharge in winter Good match to marry with other natural systems Benefits Lower energy and chemical costs Lower maintenance and operations costs Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 11

12 Example Treatment Systems in Oregon Wetlands City of Salem Golf Course Irrigation City of Newberg City of Prineville City of Bend Poplars City of Woodburn MWMC/Eugene/Springfield Variety of Natural Systems Roseburg Urban Sanitary Authority Water Quality Trading Clean Water Services City of Medford Wastewater Ponds City of Yoncalla City of Gervais Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 12

13 Salem Wetlands Wetland treatment system Installed in 2002 Water quality improvement and community asset Effectively treats ammonia Cost of $80 per day Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 13

14 MWMC Eugene/Springfield Poplars Biocycle Farm Poplar plantation Irrigates with treated wastewater Fertilized with biosolids 400 acres planted with 88,000 hybrid poplar trees Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 14

15 Golf Course Irrigation Prineville Bend Newberg Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 15

16 RUSA Variety of Systems Discharging to the South Fork of the Umpqua River, RUSA faced many water quality challenges Blended a number of natural systems Meeting all DEQ requirements Fraction of costs Installation and on-going Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 16

17 Water Quality Trading Clean Water Services Community & Agriculture Partners 10 years of success Planted over 1 million native plants Restored over 25 miles of streamside 95% cost savings compared to conventional technology Saved more than $100 million since 2004 Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 17

18 Water Quality Trading Medford Restoring 25 miles of streamside riparian vegetation Options Chillers $16 million Vegetation restoration $6 million Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 18

19 Wastewater Ponds Variety of Oregon communities use ponds including: Yoncalla Gervais Dufur Wedderburn Condon Opportunity to use treated water for irrigation State Only WQ permit Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 19

20 Design Considerations/Challenges A mix of natural treatment systems a good match for many Oregon communities Rural and urban Hire knowledgeable, experienced experts Tour similar systems Involve regulatory agencies early Involve and educate Elected Officials Community Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 20

21 Design Considerations/Challenges Work carefully with neighbors Focus on life cycle system costs Especially for energy and chemicals One size doe not fit all Find the right match for your community Site, community, location, etc. Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 21

22 Summary Natural Treatment Systems Good match for Oregon communities facing stringent water quality permits Especially in rural Oregon Many existing natural treatment systems in Oregon Tour and learn Oregon DEQ is a willing partner Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 22

23 Promoting Natural Treatment Systems Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon 23