AWWA WQTC60673

The Fort Worth Water Department (FWWD) is interested in point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) water treatment technology to address the following water quality concerns: intermittent complaints about the taste, odor, and color of the delivered water; water quality issues in localized portions of the water distribution system; and, proactively assisting water customers who are interested in obtaining water quality beyond current regulatory requirements. In order to assess POU/POE for the FWWD, a study was undertaken to examine the feasibility of POU/POE treatment technologies to meet FWWD water treatment goals. Major conclusions from the feasibility study included recommendations for two POU technologies as potential options for a FWWD POU program: Activated carbon as a low cost option for taste and odor treatment that should handle the majority of taste and odor complaints received; and, reverse osmosis as an excellent option for a large scale POU treatment unit capable of treating all four categories of tastes and odors plus providing enhanced treatment. The study also recommended the top two POE alternatives as potential options for a FWWD POE program, dependent upon future regulatory acceptance. These two options were reverse osmosis and UV light. Includes tables.