Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Drinking Water Treatment Plant Design and Operation

摘要

This paper applied a water treatment plant (WTP) simulation model developed by theUSEPA to evaluate effects of climate change on a WTP design and operation. Thesimulation model was validated using the Greater Cincinnati Water Works’ RichardMiller WTP based on data collected for the Information Collection Rule (ICR)database. As part of the validation process, individual influent water qualityparameters were “perturbed” and processed through the simulated Miller WTP toidentify key influent water quality factors that significantly affect regulatedcontaminants in the treated water. TOC and ammonia were identified as key waterquality parameters. After the validation process was completed, the simulationmodel for the Miller WTP was used to examine the impact on regulated contaminantsof a set of influent water quality scenarios that might result from climate change.Results of the case study scenarios indicated that the existing Miller WTP operationmight not be able to meet Safe Drinking Water Act MCL requirements. Thereforedesign and operational changes may be required to meet these climate changeinduced changes in source water quality.