Robust Water Treatment Systems for Rural and Small Communities

Project ID: 1759
Principal Investigator: Miguel Arias-Paic
Research Topic: Desalination and Water Treatment
Priority Area Assignments: 2015 (Advanced Water Treatment)
Funded Fiscal Years: 2014 and 2015
Keywords: robust treatment systems, control systems, sensors, fouling, cleaning

Research Question

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Need and Benefit

This research project agreement contains intellectual property and therefore this information cannot be displayed here. Intellectual property is information that could be used to create something patentable or licensable if the information is viewed by someone other than the researchers involved with this project. If you wish to obtain more information about this project you must contact the Principal Investigator.

Contributing Partners

Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.

Research Products

Bureau of Reclamation Review

The following documents were reviewed by experts in fields relating to this project's study and findings. The results were determined to be achieved using valid means.

Tool for Planning Temporary Water Supplies for Drought Emergencies (final, PDF, 240KB)
By Michelle J Chapman
Publication completed on September 30, 2014

This bulletin summarizes the research results and potential application to Reclamation's mission.

Fouling Challenge for a Robust, Remote Controlled Ultrafiltration/ Reverse Osmosis System (interim, PDF, 2.5MB)
By Michelle Chapman
Report completed on November 16, 2014

An automated and remote controlled, Ultrafiltration/Reverse Osmosis (UF/RO) system is evaluated for robustness and adaptability to severe changes in feed water quality. During fouling challenges with separate solutions of natural humic and fulvic acid, blue-green algae, kaolin powder, and sodium alginate, the system recovered easily upon decline in fouling load or with hot water cleanings. Methods for monitoring the onset and degree of fouling in real time are described.

Robust Water Treatment Systems for Rural and Small Communities (final, PDF, 165KB)
By Miguel Arias-Paic
Publication completed on September 30, 2015

The California Department of Public Health adopted a hexavalent chromium maximum contaminant level of 0.010 mg/L that became effective on July 1, 2014. Historical sampling for Title 22 at Joshua Basin Water District indicated that several wells were above this chromium VI maximum contaminant level. These results prompted the District to evaluate different options: treatment, blending and well profiling for mitigating the hexavalent chromium to below regulatory concentrations. Reclamation was tasked with determining optimal treatment options and evaluating them at the pilot scale. Pilot treatment processes currently being conducted at Joshua Basin water, using both weak base ion exchange resin (disposable) and strong base ion exchange resin (regenerable). The weak base resin is being tested for chromium and uranium content to determine disposal costs and handling. The strong base resin is being tested and brine used during regeneration is being fractionated using salt concentration staged regeneration, membrane separation (recycled, waste and recycled components of brine) and membrane concentration of waste.

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Last Updated: 6/22/20