AWWA MTC61161

A membrane bioreactor and reverse osmosis (MBR-RO) system was developed to assesspotential reuse applications of municipal wastewater. The objective of the study was toexamine the water quality throughout the system with a focus on waterborne pathogens,disinfection byproducts (DBPs) and nitrate. This study has demonstrated that thetreatment of municipal wastewater by an MBR-RO system followed by disinfection hasthe potential to produce high quality reuse water. The reuse water produced by the MBRROsystem meets California Title 22 water reuse regulations for non-potable applicationsand U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) drinking water limits for trihalomethanes (80 u g/L), haloacetic acids (60u g/L), chlorite (1.0 mg/L), total coliform (not detectable), viruses (not detectable), andnitrate/nitrite (10 mg N/L). However, THM formation (182 to 689 u g/L) due tomembrane cleaning with chlorine in the MBR and incomplete removal by subsequent ROtreatment resulted in reuse water THM levels that were high enough (53.6 degrees+/- 23.1 u g/L) topresent a potential concern in drinking water applications. Nitrate levels in the reusewater of up to 3.6 mg N/L, which also resulted from incomplete removal by the ROmembrane, may also be a potential concern. A denitrification step in the MBR should beconsidered if potable water applications are considered. Includes 8 references, figures.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

03/01/2005

Number of Pages:

6

File Size:

1 file , 370 KB