A Potable Reuse Demonstration Scale Program in East Coast Florida

The implementation of direct potable reuse (DPR) in recent years has become a necessity in drought-driven states such as California and Texas. However, in Florida, alternative water supplies have long been established for providing reclaimed water to end users for irrigation and other non-potable applications. Furthermore, the driver for investigation of DPR in the state of Florida has been circulating around increased regulations for the protection of its precious resources. Surface waters, a common disposal site for treated wastewater, and groundwater sources, which have limited supply, are facing increased regulatory protection regarding Minimum Flows and Levels (MFLs) and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for nutrients. The City of Daytona Beach (City), located on the east coast of Florida, currently discharges their excess reclaimed water to the Halifax River, mainly when it is in excess of customer reclaimed water demands. In 2010, a portion of the river was designated as an impaired water body and a TMDL for nitrogen was established. The City is now reconsidering their disposal practices by investigating the feasibility of a DPR Demonstration Testing System (DTS), which will treat reclaimed water to meet or exceed drinking water standards. The Demonstration Testing System, which has been successfully co-funded by the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) Cost Share Program, will demonstrate the purification of reclaimed water using a full advanced treatment (FAT) process. The FAT process will consist of reverse osmosis (RO), ultrafiltration (UF), and advanced oxidation with ultraviolet light (UV-AOP) using full scale equipment for the simulation of a full scale facility at a lower production capacity (0.20 million gallons per day, MGD). Final design for the Demonstration Testing System has been completed and the construction and operation of the facility will provide invaluable insight to pursuing alternative solutions for addressing water quality and groundwater withdrawal issues with one innovative solution.

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