ADVANCED WATER RECLAMATION FOR INDIRECT POTABLE REUSE: EXAMINING SUSTAINABILITY OF THREE DIFFERENT TREATMENT SCHEMES

摘要

The type and degree of treatment employed in advanced water reclamation schemes whose treated water is intended for or suitable to indirect potable reuse are based on several factors: (1) quality of effluent used as feed to the scheme as well as variations in effluent quality,(2) treated water quality requirements that reflect protection of public health and the health of the receiving water. Moreover, the treatment scheme can also reflect the availability of technologies at the time of implementation. This paper examines three advanced water reclamation facilities that utilize treatment schemes developed to produce high quality treated water suitable for indirect potable reuse; discusses how the schemes were developed to address geographical, political and regulatory requirements that result, for some contaminants, different treated water limits; and presents information on the capability of each to address non-regulated micro-contaminants that are of increasing concern for ecosystems and human health. Additionally, the paper compares the carbon footprint of each scheme from both a capital and operating perspective to provide the reader with important insight into the sustainability of each scheme relative to their use at other locations.