An Evaluation Of Low-Energy Treatment Schemes For Water Reuse

By Erin Mackey and Andrew Salveson

Carollo Engineers led a team of researchers to determine which of the latest technologies for reclaimed water is most effective and most ready for market.

The production of reclaimed water from municipal wastewater is now standard practice and almost universally accomplished using primary treatment (discretionary), secondary treatment with activated sludge, filtration, and disinfection with chlorine, sodium hypochlorite, or ultraviolet light (UV) disinfection. Sludge produced by liquid treatment is often stabilized with aerobic digestion. These conventional processes are energy-intensive. Lower-energy treatment alternatives exist in varying degrees of “market readiness.” Collectively, these represent part of the future of wastewater and reclaimed water treatment.