Reactivating after 11 years a 3 mgd seawater RO plant in Florida

Abstract

On January 22, 1981 the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority commissioned a 3 mgd seawater reverse osmosis plant on the island of Key West, Florida. At the time, this plant was an interim solution to a critical water need for the lower Florida Keys. The plant was to be used until a new pipeline from the mainland Florida peninsula could be completed. The plant continuously produced potable water from seawells for 18 months and then for the next 5 years was placed in standby with each bank (total of 6) being operated two hours per day every 2 weeks. For the last 6 years, the facility has been mothballed. It became evident last year, as a result of Hurricane Andrew, that the Florida Keys needed to have available emergency potable water should a disaster strike this area. Several options were examined; the least costly appeared to be the activation of the Key West RO plant, provided the facility could be refurbished at reasonable cost. This paper discusses the very positive results obtained when this plant was brought back on-line and quality water was produced. Also included is how the facility is now being upgraded to provide a satisfactory potable water supply in case an emergency strikes the locality.