Water Reuse: Orlando s Experiences & Perspectives. Rick Howard, PE Public Works Director

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1 Water Reuse: Orlando s Experiences & Perspectives Rick Howard, PE Public Works Director

2 Water Reuse The process of using wastewater that has been thoroughly treated and disinfected to remove harmful organisms and substances, such as bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals; then using it as source water for other beneficial uses.

3 Why Reuse Water? Energy savings Improved agricultural production Environmental benefits to receiving bodies Groundwater recharge Sustainable Conservation of potable water CFWI predicted a 250 mgd deficit by the year 2035

4 Water Reuse History LA County California 1929, crop irrigation San Francisco 1932, landscape irrigation Tallahassee 1966, crop irrigation St. Petersburg 1977, dual water distribution, irrigation Gainesville 1977, groundwater recharge Orlando 1986, Conserv II, crop irrigation, recharge Orlando 1987, wetlands hydration

5 Water Reuse: Orlando s Beginning In 1979, a citizens group filed a law suit against the City of Orlando and Orange County demanding that wastewater discharges to Shingle Creek be halted. The City and County were required to cease discharge by March 1988.

6 Water Reuse: Orlando s Beginning: The City and County formed a partnership to develop a joint solution Capital facilities owned equally, 50% each O&M costs shared based on volume of reclaimed water delivered Many alternatives were analyzed for feasibility and economic viability The Selected Alternative-Water Conserv II Largest project of its kind in the world Citrus Irrigation Rapid Infiltration for Back-up

7 Conserv II WRF: 21 mgd permitted 13.3 mgd actual flow In service since 1972, expanded in 1985 Major upgrades 2009 to 2013 Future rerating to 25 MGD Rapid Infiltration 54% Public Access 27% Agricultural 19% Effluent Discharge: 25% local reuse ( 6,412 residences, 3 golf courses, 57 parks and 4 schools) 75% sent to the Distribution Center for agricultural irrigation and groundwater recharge.

8 Conserv II DC Facility Overview 2 Water Reclamation Facilities City of Orlando s Conserv II WRF Orange County s South Regional WRF 21-Mile 42 /54 Transmission Pipeline Distribution Center Operations and Maintenance Facilities 100 MGD Pump Station 20 MG Storage Capacity 49-Mile Distribution Network (54 to 6 ) 8 RIB Sites on 3,725 Acres 72 RIBs (150 Individual Cells) 25 miles of RIB Distribution Network

9 Rapid Infiltration Basins are Vital to Conserv II Distribution Center RIBs recharge the Floridan Aquifer with: Excess wet weather flows Daily flows that are not needed for irrigation

10 Conserv I WRF 7.5 mgd permitted 3.6 mgd actual flow In service since 1987 Located in fastest growing part of the City Effluent Discharge 97% local reuse (4,047 residences, 2 golf courses, 64 parks, 7 schools and 1 cooling tower through the ERRWDS 3% rapid infiltration basins for groundwater recharge

11 Eastern Regional RW Distribution System Regional project with several partners developed over 12 years Orange County Utilities Orlando Utilities Commission SJRWMD 35 miles of 20 to 48 pipeline 20 mgd capacity Key water supply initiative for East Orlando and East Orange County

12 Effluent Discharge 24% Little Econ 67% wetlands 9% local reuse / ERRWDS Iron Bridge Regional WRF 40 mgd design 22.5 mgd actual flow 10.7 mgd Orlando flow In service since 1982, expansion in 1988 Major upgrade in 2008/09 Receives WW from Orange Co., Seminole Co., Winter Park, Casselberry, and Maitland

13 Why Wetlands? The City desired to expand the Iron Bridge WRF Iron Bridge had a limited waste load allocation to the river The concentrations of pollutants would have to be lower at higher flows Wetlands treatment was selected because of its storage capacity and its efficiency in nutrient removal resulting in the largest created system of its kind at inception 35 mgd capacity with 20 to 40 days resident times resulting in a 54% and 19% reduction in N and P respectively Now a public park with bike and hiking trails World famous birding venue

14 A 17-mile pipeline carries water to the Orlando Wetlands Park Oviedo Iron Bridge Chuluota UCF Bithlo Waterford Lakes

15 City of Orlando-Summary of Reclaimed Water Quality by WRF Iron Bridge Permit Value (mg/l) Iron Bridge Actual Value (mg/l)* Con II Permit Value (mg/l) Con II Actual Value (mg/l)* Con I Permit Value (mg/l) Con I Actual Value (mg/l)* CBOD TSS TN ** 7.4 TP ** 2.3 ** 5.1 * Annual average values ending Dec ** No permit requirement

16 City of Orlando-Distribution of Reclaimed Water in 2016 Surface Discharge 9% of Total Wetlands Reuse 26% of Total Rapid Infiltration 20% of Total Public Access Reuse 38% of Total Agricultural Irrigation 7% of Total Over 91% of the City s reclaimed is reused for irrigation, groundwater recharge or wetlands creation.

17 30 Years Later Reclaimed Water is a Valuable Water Resource Considered a liability Considered a resource Incentivize customers to take it Unlimited use Not included in water supply plans Expensive to implement compared to traditional effluent management Customers willing to pay Conserve use Integral to water supply plans Cost effective compared to developing new supplies of water

18 Challenges Ahead Long term storage facilities needed during periods of reduced demands Supplemental supplies are needed for high demand periods Regional approaches will be more cost effective requiring more partners and possible compromises Further environmental needs and the continued requirement for groundwater recharge Potential for future regulatory treatment efficiency upgrades Conservation and user rates will increase in the future Treatment plant rerating and capacity expansion