AWWA WQTC64018

As with many cities in the South, the City of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, has experienced an exceptional population growth in recent years. This growth, accompanied with hot and dry summers, translates into higher water demands, which will soon exceed the 45 million gallon- per-day (mgd) treatment capacity of the City's existing conventional Ed Love Water Treatment Plant (WTP). In preparation for future challenges such as increased water demands, more stringent drinking water regulations, and security considerations, the City of Tuscaloosa embarked on a long-term comprehensive plan for water treatment. This plan consisted of master planning and treatment process selection (completed in 2003), piloting membrane technologies (completed in 2004), and engineering design of a new 12-mgd microfiltration (MF) WTP (to be completed in 2006). A key element in the planning process has been continual coordination with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), which is a critical stakeholder in the design. This paper describes in detail the initial planning and pilot testing, which was completed in December 2004. Includes tables, figures.