Low Energy Biofiltration System with Low Backwash Rate for Groundwater Contaminant Removal
Using Low-Energy Technology to Clean Contaminated Groundwater
Tomorrow Water dba BKT United
Recipient
Anaheim, CA
Recipient Location
29th
Senate District
69th
Assembly District
$1,722,067
Amount Spent
Completed
Project Status
Project Result
The Tomorrow Water Biofiltration system simultaneously removed nitrate, perchlorate, and turbidity from groundwater to below state-mandated maximum contaminate levels. and reduced energy consumption by 70% when compared with a conventional fluidized bed reactor. Both contaminants were treated until each MCL (maximum contamination level) reached the project goals of 10 mg/L for nitrate and 6 ug/L for perchlorate based on California's Title 22 drinking water standard. However, the Title 22 testing phase the project was forced to stop due to a change in regulation regarding the handling of potentially percolate contaminated effluent streams. While the project did not achieve a Title 22 certification due to the lack of an acceptable real-time perchlorate measurement, the recipient continues to seek approval with the Regional Water Board regarding real-time perchlorate data.
The Issue
Many of California's groundwater aquifers are unused for drinking water due to contamination by nitrate and/or perchlorate. Existing groundwater treatment methods generate a concentrated brine stream that requires disposal measures rendering it unsuitable for inland sites. Existing biological treatment alternatives do not generate a brine stream but are very energy intensive. A cost effective, low energy treatment option for contaminated ground water resources is needed for inland communities in Central and Southern California to increase water supply and resiliency.
Project Innovation
The project demonstrated a biofiltration system that uses 70 percent less energy when compared to conventional technology used to treat contaminated water to meet drinking water standards or for use in industrial and/or agricultural applications. The technology was demonstrated in the City of Barstow with the focus on removal of nitrate, perchlorate and turbidity from the wastewater. The project included water testing to attempt to secure Conditional Acceptance as a Title 22 drinking water treatment technology from the State Water Resources Control Board.
Project Benefits
The project technology offers a lower energy alternative for treatment of the most common contaminants preventing use of ground water resources in California and could enable the development of new water supplies in many of the drought challenged regions of the state. Local treatment of impaired groundwater provides additional energy benefits by eliminating the cost associated with transporting clean water from distant sources. The biofiltration treatment technology has the potential of efficiently treating contaminated water in an energy efficient manner while generating no waste brine.
Affordability
The biofiltration system in this project yields cost savings through reduced energy use because the media used in the system is backwashed by gravity rather than pumping. Additionally, recirculation pumping, common in other biofiltration systems that use activated carbon, requires regular interval replacement. The recipient's biofiltration technology uses a floating media and does not require regular replacement. The recipient achieved a 70 percent reduction in electricity costs and a 20 percent reduction in operating costs compared to typical up-flow treatment systems (e.g., fluidized bed reactors) at equivalent or lower capitol costs.
Environmental Sustainability
This low energy system treats contaminated water for use as drinking water supply. This can provide a source of local drinking water and eliminates the need to transport clean water from distant sources. The system also does not generate brine which is a byproduct waste which typically require landfill disposal.
Key Project Members
Joon Min
Subrecipients
MWH
Kana Engineering Group, Inc
khalil kairouz consulting, LLC
Eurofins Eaton Analytical
Match Partners
MWH
City of Barstow
Tomorrow Water dba BKT United
Kana Engineering Group, Inc
khalil kairouz consulting, LLC
Eurofins Eaton Analytical
