Current Status, Trends, and Future Challenges of Water Reuse in the U.S.

Transcription

1 Current Status, Trends, and Future Challenges of Water Reuse in the U.S. Presented at: Japan-U.S. Joint Conference on Drinking Water Quality Management and Wastewater Control Las Vegas, NV March 4, 2009 Presented by: Wade Miller Executive Director WateReuse Association and WateReuse Foundation Topics Drought as Driver Some Basic Facts Overview of Water Reuse in the U.S. Current Extent of Use and Potential Trends and Driving Forces Technology, Applications, Benefits, Costs, Regulations Issues and Challenges The Future Conclusions -1-

2 MGD Supply & Demand Population & Demand Available Water Time Areas of Water Stress in

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4 Some Basic Facts All Water is Reused There is Substantial Unplanned Reuse (e.g., the Mississippi River, Thames, Rhine, Seine, etc.) Water is a Manufactured Product Purity of Water Should be Matched to its Intended Use History of Water is of Little Importance In Planned Water Reuse, we Emulate Mother Nature With Technology, can do it better and faster Water reuse is green and eco-friendly Factors Driving Water Reuse (and Desalination) Drought Population growth Increased municipal, industrial, and agricultural demand Dependence on single source of supply TMDLs/Nutrient load caps Water scarcity -4-

5 Significant Trends in Water Reuse Nationwide Droughts Lead to New Paradigm: Water Scarcity Reuse is Gaining in Prominence Around the Globe (e.g., Australia, Singapore, South Africa, Israel, Spain, Belgium) Potable Reuse Being Discussed as Possibility Research Focus is Now Global Climate Change -- It s s Mostly About Water Public Acceptance Continues as Most Vexing Challenge: Brisbane is Latest Example Relevant Developments $126MM in Stimulus Legislation for Title XVI Projects Australia Launching Reuse Projects in Every Major City Singapore PUB s NEWater Facility a Showcase Water Reuse is in Vogue: Green and Eco- Friendly Thames Water, Antwerp Engaged in Indirect Potable Reuse -5-

6 What is Possible with Water Reuse? Answer: Virtually Anything Given Current Technology With MF/RO/UV/AOP, Can Produce Water that is Virtually Pure Dihydrogen Monoxide Problem is that Technology has Surpassed our Ability to Communicate Effectively with Public Need to Resolve Issues with EDCs/PPCPs Potential for Water Reuse Approximately 5-6% of municipal wastewater effluent in the U.S. is reclaimed and beneficially reused About 34.9 bgd Municipal Effluent in the U.S. 5-6% Reclaimed -6-

7 Projection of Water Reuse levels through 2015 ~90% of Water Reuse Occurs in Four States Washington Oregon Nevada California Idaho Arizona Utah Montana Wyoming Colorado New Mexico North Dakota South Dakota Nebraska Kansas Oklahoma Minnesota Iowa Missouri Arkansas Wisconsin Illinois Michigan Indiana Kentucky Tennessee Ohio Pennsylvania West Virginia Virginia North Carolina South Carolina Vermont New York Maine New Hampshire Massachusetts Rhode Island Connecticut New Jersey Delaware Maryland Mississippi Alabama Georgia Texas Louisiana Hawaii Florida -7-

8 but it is growing in other states Washington Oregon Nevada California Idaho Arizona Utah Montana Wyoming Colorado New Mexico North Dakota South Dakota Nebraska Kansas Oklahoma Minnesota Iowa Missouri Arkansas Wisconsin Illinois Michigan Indiana Kentucky Tennessee Ohio Pennsylvania West Virginia Virginia North Carolina South Carolina Vermont New York Maine New Hampshire Massachusetts Rhode Island Connecticut New Jersey Delaware Maryland Mississippi Alabama Georgia Texas Louisiana Hawaii Florida Best Available Technology Membranes are the technology of choice around the world today as the best available technology for water purification. Singapore, Japan, China, Australia, Spain Orange County, California Tampa Bay, Florida Trinidad & Tobago, WI -8-

9 Reverse Osmosis Costs 15 $/1,000gal AWWARF Study, 2001 GWR System (OCWD and OCSD) Advanced Water Treatment Flow Diagram Enhanced Source Control Secondary Treatment 86 mgd Microfiltration (MF) 70 mgd 70 mgd Reverse Osmosis Ultraviolet (RO) Light (AOP) Purified Water OCSD Secondary Effluent Backwash OCSD Plant 1 Brine OCSD Outfall with hydrogen peroxide Natural soil filtration -9-

10 West Basin Water Recycling Plant Conventional Process Flocculation Title 22 Basin Filter Membrane Treatment Process Disinfection To Distribution 30 mgd Lime Clarifier Barrier Filter Micro- filtration Reverse Osmosis Reverse Osmosis Disinfection To Sea Water Barrier 5.0 mgd To Sea Water Barrier 2.5 mgd Micro- filtration Reverse Osmosis Reverse Osmosis Disinfection To Chevron Boiler Feed 5.0 mgd Applications Landscape Irrigation Agricultural Irrigation (Edible & Non-Edible Crops) Industrial and Commercial Environmental Uses Non-Potable Urban Uses (Urinal Flushing in High Rise Buildings) Groundwater Recharge Potable Water Supply Augmentation -10-

11 Benefits Dependable Source of Supply Locally Controlled Environmentally Friendly Low or No Capital Costs Augments Existing Supplies Regulations and Criteria No Federal Regulations 28 States Have Water Reuse Regulations 2004 U.S. EPA Guidelines for Water Reuse: Recommended treatment processes Water quality limits Monitoring frequencies Setback distances Other controls

12 Issues in Water Reuse Public Acceptance Unknowns about Chemical Risks Poor Differentiation by Public and Politicians of Planned vs. Unplanned Reuse The Media Lack of Political Support More Cost-Effective Technologies Funding Better Understanding of Economics Energy/Water Nexus Climate Change Public Acceptance of Water Reuse Public generally strongly supports nonpotable uses Uses involving no or minimal contact with reclaimed water (e.g., irrigation) are favored Acceptance related to knowledge of reuse (e.g., public education and participation programs) Acceptance of indirect potable reuse has been problematic in recent years Proposed projects in San Diego, East Valley, Dublin San Ramon, and Tampa have been unsuccessful -12-

13 Information Most Relevant to Help Foster Reuse Applications Find a Way to Assure the Public that Reclaimed Water is Safe from Medical Wastes, etc. Find a Way to Convince the Public that All Water is Reused and that an Environmental Barrier is Unnecessary Given Efficacy of Technologies Convince the Public that Water Technologies are as Safe as Those Used in Elevators, 747s, etc. The Future Indirect Potable Reuse is Inevitable Increased Desalination both Brackish Groundwater and Seawater Also is Inevitable Education & Outreach/Stakeholder Involvement is Key to Acceptance of Water Reuse Public Should Not Hold Water Reuse to Higher Standard than Drinking Water Efficacy of Technology is Not an Issue Concerns About EDCs/PPCPs Must be Addressed Research is Key Component -13-

14 Thank you Wade Miller Executive Director WateReuse Association & Foundation