Comparing Membrane Operations at Three of the World's Largest Advanced Water Treatment Plants

Abstract

Within the last decade, wastewater reclamation using membrane technologies has become a realistic possibility for many municipalities and a necessity for those located in dry, arid regions. The combination of membrane filtration, reverse osmosis (RO), and advanced oxidation to treat municipal effluents beyond drinking water qualities has been demonstrated as the process of choice for municipalities trying to reduce dependence on potable water for industrial or agricultural uses, implement indirect potable reuse applications, or create direct potable reuse supplies. Three such municipalities—West Basin Municipal Water District, Carson, Calif.; Orange County Water District, Fountain Valley, Calif; and the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia—have employed this advanced treatment process on their local wastewater effluents for a variety of uses, but their common goal is to sustain local potable water supplies. This article compares operational data and performance for each of these large-scale water recycling facilities. Particular attention is paid to the microfiltration and RO systems, startup, and ongoing issues experienced at each location.