AWWA MTC69756

This powerpoint presentation begins by presenting the concept of sustainable membrane operation, and the devastating impacts of wildfires to watersheds, and to membrane operations including: every wildfire is different and the impact to watershed is also different; no membrane plant in North America has experienced severe water quality due to wildfire (limited experience); high turbidity carry over (especially fine colloids) and organics in membrane feed water could cause irreversible fouling; and, high Fe and Mn could be troublesome. Challenges to membrane processes are presented and include: mitigating membrane fouling; augmented pretreatment (coagulation, sedimentation, powdered activated carbon [PAC], permanganate, fine screen, granular activated carbon [GAC], ozone, etc.); intensified cleaning regime; reduced flux; maintain minimum production to satisfy emergency demand; membrane warranty; will be voided once membrane feed water quality is out of spec; and, vendors may not want to warrant a wildfire scenario. An economic analysis framework for membrane pretreatment process selection is presented and includes the following topics: Capital Cost; Annual O&M Cost; Direct Financial Impact; Indirect Financial Impact; and, Non-Financial Factors. Presentation summary includes the following: Sustainable Membrane Operation is the Key to a Successful Membrane WTP; Wildfire Poses a Significant Threat to Membranes; a combination of Emergency Operation with Enhanced Pretreatment could reduce the Impact from Wildfire; and, an Economical Analysis Framework is Developed to Assist the Selection of Appropriate Pretreatment Processes to Balance Risk, Cost, and Non-Financial Factors. Includes tables.