Wastewater ReclamationSarah Craddock, Jessica Holberg, Brad

Rutzel

IntroductionIntroduction

• Struggle to meet the demand for clean water – Desalination– Wastewater Reclamation

• Objectives– Explore how wastewater reclamation works– Analyze pros and cons– Recommendations for Future Development

How it worksHow it works

• Wastewater Reclamation: potable vs nonpotable

• 10% • More economical• SUSTAINABLE!

HistoryHistory

• Early 1500s– Sewerage– Water sanitation

• 1960s: Era of Wastewater Reclamation• 1969: Namibia• 1974 SWDA• 1977 CWA• Early 1980s-present day

ProcessProcess

• Primary• Secondary• Tertiary• Post-Tertiary

Process

Who Uses it?Who Uses it?

• United States (California, Virginia, New Mexico, Colorado)

• Namibia• Singapore• Australia (parts)• And Beyond!

Analysis of Issues

The BIGGEST Issue

• Most people think “YUCK”!

• Even though it’s certified clean

• How do you convince people it’s ok?

More common than you know!More common than you know!

Most people don’t realize that most water they’re consuming is actually reclaimed water that was put in a stream or river from the city before theirs.

Orange County, CaliforniaOrange County, California

• They take the reclaimed water and put it back into a groud aquifer.

• “Technically" it is groundwater

• If questioned, they host informative meetings on how the water meets regulations.

InterviewsInterviews

Three Employees from the City of Howell Wastewater Department.

• Not really informed on how it works.• Not one finds the system necessary for Michigan• They DO find it smart and beneficial for places

who don’t have great water amounts.• They have problems with just putting reclaimed

water into the river, let alone having people drink it.

Climate Change• Southwest- Their water

is diminishing FAST• In need of water

source.• Coastal communities

could increase the amount of municipal water available by as much as 27 percent.

PopulationPopulation

The population is projected to double in the Southwest in 20-40 years.We already don’t have enough water!!

ProsPros

• The water is less expensive to use or to treat and users benefit from the savings.

• The end use is located close to the source thereby eliminating the need for costly distribution systems.

• Reclaimed water is a drought-proof source of water, which is probably the biggest upside to the system.

ProsPros

• It is the only source of water that automatically increases with increased economic activity and population growth, which helps with the economic drought.

• One last major pro to the system is it helps conserve traditional sources of water such as groundwater and surface water.

Cons

• The water reuse may be seasonal in nature, resulting in the overloading of treatment and disposal facilities during off seasons.

• Need to pay for a new treatment system. (Terrible economy, and money is EVERYTHING to many)

RecommendationsRecommendations

• Use reclaimed wastewater!– Virtually nothing to worry

about– More economically

feasible– Stable water supply

• WHY?– Aquifer Mining– Salt water encroachment

Biggest HurdleBiggest Hurdle

• Education!• Education!• Education!

How can we How can we educate effectively?educate effectively?

• Three groups control public opinion– Politicians– Advocacy Groups/

Interested Organizations– Media

Effective Education• Visual Information• Reach out to everybody everywhere• Be straightforward – Share all relevant information– Use recognizable terms

• Education Works!

RecommendationsRecommendations

• Combined sewers– Make sure facility has

enough capacity

• Personal Care Products– Further research– Wastewater reclamation

process more effective?

Other OptionsOther Options

• Storm water as drinking water• Singapore– Import water from Malaysia– Rainwater catchment– Reservoir in ocean– Desalination– Wastewater Reclamation