Sustainable Water Futures – Opportunities at Water and Wastewater Utilities The Future of Recycled WaterRichard Atwater

Sustainable Water Futures – Opportunities at Water and Wastewater Utilities The Future of Recycled WaterRichard Atwater

Richard Atwater, Inland Empire Utilities Agency

November 13, 2009GE Forum

Water shortages likely in the future because Colorado River and Sacramento River “delta” supplies fully allocated!

State Water Plan: Conservation, water recycling, groundwater treatment and stormwater capture key strategies in urban areas.

Seawater desalination a relatively small percentage of solution but will be important in some coastal communities.

Water/Wastewater utilities will increasingly focus on renewable energy as a result of climate change laws and regulations.

$1 billion for water recycling and $1 billion for groundwater clean up

And another $1.4 billion for regional water supply projects

Sources of New Supplies:◦ Conservation Technologies - 40% ($1.5 billion)◦ Recycled Water – 30% ($8-10 billion)◦ Groundwater Storage and Cleanup Technologies –

25% ($6-7 billion)◦ Seawater Desalination of New Water Supplies –

1% to 3% ($2 billion)◦ New Dams – 2% to 5% (if built about $10-12

billion)

Governor’s Recycled Water Task Force 2003California Water Board Recycled Water Policy

2009Water Bond $1 billion for Recycled WaterMetropolitan Water District Regional Water Plan

California – reuse and recycling will double in volume by 2015 and then double again

by 2020!

Landscape IrrigationAgricultural Irrigation (Edible & Non-Edible

Crops)Industrial and CommercialEnvironmental UsesNon-Potable Urban Uses (Urinal Flushing in

High Rise Buildings)Groundwater RechargePotable Water Supply Augmentation

Use Watersense and DOE Energy Star branding models

Promoting new innovative uses of recycled water

Encourage recycled water use at all federal facilities

Answer: Virtually Anything Given Current Answer: Virtually Anything Given Current TechnologyTechnology

With MF/RO/UV/AOP, Can Produce Water that With MF/RO/UV/AOP, Can Produce Water that is Virtually Pure Dihydrogen Monoxideis Virtually Pure Dihydrogen Monoxide

Problem is that Technology has Surpassed Problem is that Technology has Surpassed our Ability to Communicate Effectively with our Ability to Communicate Effectively with PublicPublic

Need to Resolve Issues with EDCs/PPCPsNeed to Resolve Issues with EDCs/PPCPs

Reuse is Gaining in Prominence Around the Globe Reuse is Gaining in Prominence Around the Globe (e.g., Australia, Singapore, South Africa, Israel, (e.g., Australia, Singapore, South Africa, Israel, Spain, Belgium)Spain, Belgium)

Technology Marches Forward with AOP & MBRsTechnology Marches Forward with AOP & MBRsConstant Challenge in Public Acceptance ArenaConstant Challenge in Public Acceptance ArenaResearch Focus is Now GlobalResearch Focus is Now GlobalClimate Change and Energy are Significant Climate Change and Energy are Significant

Emerging IssuesEmerging IssuesProgress Being Made Internationally on Indirect Progress Being Made Internationally on Indirect

Potable Reuse FrontPotable Reuse Front

Approximately Approximately 11.2% of municipal 11.2% of municipal wastewater effluent wastewater effluent in the U.S. is in the U.S. is reclaimed and reclaimed and beneficially reusedbeneficially reused

11.2% Reclaimed

About 34.9 bgd Municipal Effluent in the U.S.

86 mgd86 mgd

70 mgd70 mgd 70 mgd70 mgd

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

Secondary Tertiary

Soil-Aquifer Treatment

Primary

Groundwater Blend & Hold

Distrib

utio

n S

yste

m

Industrial & Brine Export

95% TOC Removal to 7.0 mg/L Avg.

75% TOC Removal to ±2 mg/L

Ind

ustr

ial

Pre

treatm

en

t &

S

ou

rce C

on

trol

Influent TOC Avg. 165 mg/L

50% TOC Removal to ±1 mg/L

Pre-Treatment Program◦ Manages Significant Industrial Users (SIU)◦ No Drugs Down the Drain Program◦ Industrial & Brine Export to NRWS

Longstanding Treatment Facility Performance◦ Outstanding NPDES & T-22 Compliance Record

100% Compliant for 2008

◦ Exceptional Nitrogen and TOC Removal◦ No Issues with Emerging Constituents of Concern

Recycled Water UsageRecycled Water UsageActual and PlannedActual and Planned

FY08/09 Projected FY11/12 (3-Year RW Business Plan)

3-Years

Three Products:Recycled WaterBiosolids/ CompostingRenewable Energy

Since 2001, goal has been to maximize renewable energy, optimize energy usage

Significant investments made in biogas generation, energy efficiency, green building (first platinum LEED)

Go “100% Renewable” by 2020 Pursue New Renewable Technologies

Maximize Efficiency Constructed the nation’s

first platinum LEED-rated headquarters by a public agency (2003)

Biogas production from anaerobic digesters

Installed a total of 16.5 acres of solar panels in 2008 on four Agency’s sites

Sustainability and Diversification

Renewable Energy Strategies Climate Change Key Driver to the Future Cost of Water

Local Distribution9%

Groundwater Supply6%

Imported Water Supply71%

Waste Treatment14%

400

9501,050

1,700

2,000

2,500

3,200

4,400

-

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

4,500

KW

H/A

F

Recycling GroundwaterPumping

Ion Exchange ChinoDesalter

ColoradoRiver

Aqueduct

West BranchState Project

Water

East BranchState Project

Water

OceanDesalter

Energy Use by Source

Solar System at IEUA Water Recycling PlantSolar System at IEUA Water Recycling Plant(Went live 11/28/08 at 1300 hours)(Went live 11/28/08 at 1300 hours)

3.5 MW of Solar installed at 4 sites in just 4 months

Financing – Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) used – No capital burden on Agency

No maintenance responsibilities for IEUA

Richard AtwaterCEO/General ManagerInland Empire Utilities Agencywww.ieua.orgatwater@ieua.org