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

Presented at:Presented at:Japan-U.S. Joint Conference on Drinking Water Quality

Management and Wastewater Control

Las Vegas, NVMarch 4, 2009

Presented by:Presented by:Wade Miller

Executive DirectorWateReuse Association

and WateReuse Foundation

TopicsTopicsDrought as DriverDrought as DriverSome Basic FactsSome Basic FactsOverview of Water Reuse in the U.S.Overview of Water Reuse in the U.S.–– Current Extent of Use and PotentialCurrent Extent of Use and Potential–– Trends and Driving ForcesTrends and Driving Forces–– Technology, Applications, Benefits, Costs,Technology, Applications, Benefits, Costs,

RegulationsRegulationsIssues and Challenges Issues and Challenges The FutureThe FutureConclusionsConclusions

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Supply & DemandSupply & Demand

Time

Available Water

MGD

Population & Demand

Areas of Water Stress in 2020

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Some Basic FactsSome Basic FactsAll Water is ReusedAll Water is ReusedThere is Substantial Unplanned Reuse (e.g., the There is Substantial Unplanned Reuse (e.g., the Mississippi River, Thames, Rhine, Seine, etc.)Mississippi River, Thames, Rhine, Seine, etc.)Water is a Manufactured ProductWater is a Manufactured Product““PurityPurity”” of Water Should be Matched to its of Water Should be Matched to its Intended UseIntended UseHistory of Water is of Little ImportanceHistory of Water is of Little ImportanceIn Planned Water Reuse, we Emulate In Planned Water Reuse, we Emulate ““Mother Mother NatureNature”” –– With Technology, can do it better and With Technology, can do it better and fasterfasterWater reuse is Water reuse is ““greengreen”” and and ““ecoeco--friendlyfriendly””

Factors Driving Water ReuseFactors Driving Water Reuse(and Desalination)(and Desalination)

–– DroughtDrought–– Population growthPopulation growth–– Increased municipal, industrial, and Increased municipal, industrial, and

agricultural demandagricultural demand–– Dependence on single source of supplyDependence on single source of supply–– TMDLsTMDLs/Nutrient load caps /Nutrient load caps

““Water scarcityWater scarcity””

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Significant Trends in Water ReuseSignificant Trends in Water Reuse

Nationwide Droughts Lead to New Paradigm: Nationwide Droughts Lead to New Paradigm: Water ScarcityWater ScarcityReuse is Gaining in Prominence Around the Reuse is Gaining in Prominence Around the Globe (e.g., Australia, Singapore, South Globe (e.g., Australia, Singapore, South Africa, Israel, Spain, Belgium)Africa, Israel, Spain, Belgium)Potable Reuse Being Discussed as PossibilityPotable Reuse Being Discussed as PossibilityResearch Focus is Now GlobalResearch Focus is Now GlobalClimate Change Climate Change ---- ItIt’’s Mostly About Waters Mostly About WaterPublic Acceptance Continues as Most Vexing Public Acceptance Continues as Most Vexing Challenge: Brisbane is Latest ExampleChallenge: Brisbane is Latest Example

Relevant Developments$126MM in Stimulus Legislation for Title XVI ProjectsAustralia Launching Reuse Projects in Every Major CitySingapore PUB’s NEWater Facility a ShowcaseWater Reuse is in Vogue: “Green” and “Eco-Friendly”Thames Water, Antwerp Engaged in Indirect Potable Reuse

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What is Possible with Water What is Possible with Water Reuse?Reuse?

Answer: Virtually Anything Given Answer: Virtually Anything Given Current TechnologyCurrent TechnologyWith MF/RO/UV/AOP, Can Produce With MF/RO/UV/AOP, Can Produce Water that is Virtually Pure Water that is Virtually Pure DihydrogenDihydrogenMonoxideMonoxideProblem is that Technology has Problem is that Technology has Surpassed our Ability to Communicate Surpassed our Ability to Communicate Effectively with PublicEffectively with PublicNeed to Resolve Issues with Need to Resolve Issues with EDCs/PPCPsEDCs/PPCPs

Potential for Water ReusePotential for Water Reuse

Approximately Approximately 55--6% of 6% of municipal municipal wastewater wastewater effluent in the effluent in the U.S. is U.S. is reclaimed and reclaimed and beneficially beneficially reusedreused

5-6% Reclaimed

About 34.9 bgd Municipal Effluent in the U.S.

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Projection of Water Reuse levels through 2015

Texas

Utah

Montana

California

Arizona

Idaho

Nevada

Oregon

Iowa

ColoradoKansas

Wyoming

New Mexico

Missouri

Minnesota

Nebraska

Oklahoma

South Dakota

Washington

Arkansas

North Dakota

Louisiana

IllinoisOhio

Florida

GeorgiaAlabama

Wisconsin

Virginia

Indiana

Michigan

Mississippi

Kentucky

Tennessee

Pennsylvania

NorthCarolina

SouthCarolina

WestVirginia

New Jersey

Maine

New York

Vermont

Maryland

New Hampshire

Connecticut

Delaware

MassachusettsRhode Island

Hawaii

~90% of Water Reuse Occurs in Four States

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…but it is growing in other states

Texas

Utah

Montana

California

Arizona

Idaho

Nevada

Oregon

Iowa

ColoradoKansas

Wyoming

New Mexico

Missouri

Minnesota

Nebraska

Oklahoma

South Dakota

Washington

Arkansas

North Dakota

Louisiana

IllinoisOhio

Florida

GeorgiaAlabama

Wisconsin

Virginia

Indiana

Michigan

Mississippi

Kentucky

Tennessee

Pennsylvania

NorthCarolina

SouthCarolina

WestVirginia

New Jersey

Maine

New York

Vermont

Maryland

New Hampshire

Connecticut

Delaware

MassachusettsRhode Island

Hawaii

Best Available TechnologyBest Available Technology

Membranes are the technology of choice Membranes are the technology of choice around the world today as the around the world today as the ““best available best available technologytechnology”” for water purification.for water purification.

Singapore, Japan, China, Australia, SpainOrange County, CaliforniaTampa Bay, FloridaTrinidad & Tobago, WI

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Reverse Osmosis CostsReverse Osmosis Costs

$/1,000gal.$/1,000gal.

19501950

1515

22

5.505.50

19601960 19701970 19801980 19901990 20002000

AWWARF Study, 2001AWWARF Study, 2001

86 86 mgdmgd

70 70 mgdmgd 70 70 mgdmgd

GWR System (OCWD and OCSD)Advanced Water Treatment Flow Diagram

GWR System (OCWD and OCSD)GWR System (OCWD and OCSD)Advanced Water Treatment Flow DiagramAdvanced Water Treatment Flow Diagram

Ultraviolet Ultraviolet Light Light (AOP)(AOP)

Brine Brine OCSD OutfallOCSD Outfall

Backwash Backwash OCSD Plant 1OCSD Plant 1

MicrofiltrationMicrofiltration(MF)(MF)

Reverse Reverse OsmosisOsmosis

(RO)(RO)

Purified Purified WaterWater

with hydrogenwith hydrogenperoxideperoxide

EnhancedSource Control

SecondaryTreatment

Natural soil filtration

OCSD OCSD Secondary Secondary

EffluentEffluent

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West Basin Water Recycling Plant

To Distribution30 mgd

Disinfection

To Sea Water Barrier5.0 mgd

DisinfectionTo Sea Water Barrier

2.5 mgd

Disinfection

To Chevron Boiler Feed

5.0 mgd

Conventional Process

Membrane Treatment Process

FlocculationFlocculationBasinBasin

Title 22Title 22FilterFilter

ReverseReverseOsmosisOsmosis

BarrierBarrierFilterFilter

LimeLimeClarifierClarifier

MicroMicro--filtrationfiltration

ReverseReverseOsmosisOsmosis

ReverseReverseOsmosisOsmosis

ReverseReverseOsmosisOsmosis

MicroMicro--filtrationfiltration

ApplicationsApplications

Landscape IrrigationLandscape IrrigationAgricultural Irrigation (Edible & NonAgricultural Irrigation (Edible & Non--Edible Crops)Edible Crops)Industrial and CommercialIndustrial and CommercialEnvironmental UsesEnvironmental UsesNonNon--Potable Urban Uses (Urinal Flushing in High Potable Urban Uses (Urinal Flushing in High Rise Buildings)Rise Buildings)Groundwater RechargeGroundwater RechargePotable Water Supply AugmentationPotable Water Supply Augmentation

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BenefitsBenefits

Dependable Source of SupplyDependable Source of SupplyLocally ControlledLocally ControlledEnvironmentally FriendlyEnvironmentally FriendlyLow or No Capital CostsLow or No Capital CostsAugments Existing SuppliesAugments Existing Supplies

Regulations and CriteriaRegulations and CriteriaNo Federal RegulationsNo Federal Regulations28 States Have Water Reuse Regulations28 States Have Water Reuse Regulations

2004 U.S. EPA Guidelines for Water Reuse:2004 U.S. EPA Guidelines for Water Reuse:–– Recommended treatment processesRecommended treatment processes–– Water quality limitsWater quality limits–– Monitoring frequenciesMonitoring frequencies–– Setback distancesSetback distances–– Other controlsOther controls

www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/pubs/625r04108/625r04108.htmwww.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/pubs/625r04108/625r04108.htm

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Issues in Water ReuseIssues in Water Reuse

–– Public AcceptancePublic Acceptance–– Unknowns about Chemical RisksUnknowns about Chemical Risks–– Poor Differentiation by Public and Politicians of Poor Differentiation by Public and Politicians of

Planned vs. Unplanned ReusePlanned vs. Unplanned Reuse–– The MediaThe Media–– Lack of Political SupportLack of Political Support–– More CostMore Cost--Effective TechnologiesEffective Technologies–– FundingFunding–– Better Understanding of EconomicsBetter Understanding of Economics–– Energy/Water NexusEnergy/Water Nexus–– Climate ChangeClimate Change

Public Acceptance of Water ReusePublic Acceptance of Water Reuse

Public generally strongly supports Public generally strongly supports nonpotablenonpotable usesusesUses involving no or minimal contact with Uses involving no or minimal contact with reclaimed water (e.g., irrigation) are favoredreclaimed water (e.g., irrigation) are favoredAcceptance related to knowledge of reuse (e.g., Acceptance related to knowledge of reuse (e.g., public education and participation programs)public education and participation programs)Acceptance of indirect potable reuse has been Acceptance of indirect potable reuse has been problematic in recent years problematic in recent years Proposed projects in San Diego, East Valley, Dublin Proposed projects in San Diego, East Valley, Dublin San Ramon, and Tampa have been unsuccessfulSan Ramon, and Tampa have been unsuccessful

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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 TechnologiesConvince the Public that Water Technologies are as Safe as Those Used in Elevators, 747s, etc.

The FutureThe FutureIndirect Potable Reuse is InevitableIndirect Potable Reuse is InevitableIncreased Desalination Increased Desalination –– both Brackish both Brackish Groundwater and Seawater Groundwater and Seawater –– Also is InevitableAlso is InevitableEducation & Outreach/Stakeholder Involvement Education & Outreach/Stakeholder Involvement is Key to Acceptance of Water Reuseis Key to Acceptance of Water ReusePublic Should Not Hold Water Reuse to Higher Public Should Not Hold Water Reuse to Higher Standard than Drinking WaterStandard than Drinking WaterEfficacy of Technology is Not an IssueEfficacy of Technology is Not an IssueConcerns About Concerns About EDCs/PPCPsEDCs/PPCPs Must be AddressedMust be AddressedResearch is Key ComponentResearch is Key Component

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Thank youThank you

Wade Miller

Executive Director

WateReuse Association & Foundation

703-548-0880

wmiller@watereuse.org

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