AWWA ACE68651

This paper begins by providing background information on the projected population growth in southeast Florida, the increase in the area's water demand, the availability of water resources, management of wastewater, compliance with more stringent environmental regulations, and alternative water supplies. The study proposes to document the potential for increasing the water recovery at the water treatment plant level as an alternative water supply methodology to recapture water resources currently lost to waste, thereby allowing greater flexibility in the utilization and stretching of permitted water resources. Study methodology included the following: start with nanofiltration (NF) concentrate from CDM pilot plant (recovery = 85 - 90%); set target flux and monitor reverse osmosis (R/O) performance (flux = 4 - 14 gpd/ft2 [Pressures = 100 - 130 psi], measure water transfer coefficient); determine pretreatment effects; and, characterize potential fouling. Includes 23 references, figures.