Water Reuse Research at EPA: Current and Emerging DriversCurrent and Emerging Drivers
Dr. Audrey D. Levine, P.E. N ti l P Di tNational Program DirectorDrinking Water Research Program
ASME Water Management Technology B M P i d I i
Office of Research and DevelopmentNational Program for Drinking Water Research
May 13, 2009 1
Best Management Practices and Innovations Workshop for the Process IndustriesMay 13-14, 2009
Goals of PresentationGoals of PresentationProvide general overview of EPA’s Office of Research and Provide general overview of EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) Research Programs Relevant to Workshop GoalsDevelopment (ORD) Research Programs Relevant to Workshop GoalsD pm ( D) g m W pD pm ( D) g m W pDescribe research driversDescribe research driversHighligh ORD’s research relevant to water reuseHighligh ORD’s research relevant to water reuse• ContextContext• Opportunities
Technological and Scientific advancesIntegrated water resource management
D li d/di ib d – Decentralized/distributed systems– Water reuse, “Gray water” and “Green infrastructure– Capacity to tailor water availability/quality to water use
E iEcosystem services
– Decision support tools – Valuation of services that impact or are impacted by
water availability and quality (e g fisheries recreation 2
water availability and quality (e.g. fisheries, recreation, green spaces)
ORD’s Mission: Produce credible, relevant and l h l d h l h
ORD’s Research Programs relevant to Water Reuse
timely research results and technical support that inform EPA policy decisions
• Overarching Agency Goals relevant to reuse:Clean and Safe Water• Clean and Safe Water• Drinking Water Research• Water Quality Research
• Safe Communities and Healthy EcosystemsSafe Commun t es and Healthy Ecosystems• Human Health and Ecosystem Services • Environmental Contaminants:
• Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, Pesticides & T i s Toxics,
• Nanotechnology• Global Change • Homeland Security
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y• Land: Waste management, Remediation• Stewardship: Sustainability
Current and emerging research driversWater quality• Public health protection—pathogens,
t i t b d t
Current and emerging research drivers
contaminants, byproducts• Environmental protection, aquatic habitats,
recreational waters, ecosystem servicesWater availability• Water availability• Augment/replenish water supplies
(surface and ground water)• Locally available “drought resistant” water supply• Locally available drought-resistant water supply
• Energy—water nexus• Carbon footprint of water production, conveyance, and
reclamationreclamation• Water footprint of energy production
• Climate change• Role of water in greenhouse gas mitigation strategies
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• Role of water in greenhouse gas mitigation strategies• Geologic sequestration• Biofuels
• Adaptation strategies; sustainable water infrastructure
Legislative AuthoritiesLegislative AuthoritiesClean Water ActClean Water ActSafe Drinking Water ActSafe Drinking Water ActOther Legislative AuthoritiesOther Legislative Authorities• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA),• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act (CERCLA), • Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
E Pl i d C it Ri ht t K A t (EPCRA) • Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) • Homeland Security Act (HSA) • Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments (CZARA) • National Invasive Species Act (NISA) p ( )• Endangered Species Act• BEACH Act• Energy Independence and Security Act
Em in nd p ndin iss sEm in nd p ndin iss s5
Emerging and pending issuesEmerging and pending issues• Water Efficiency• Process water, water quality, water research
Water Resource Management ChallengesWater Resource Management ChallengesWater Resource Management ChallengesWater Resource Management ChallengesNeed to balance water availability, water Need to balance water availability, water allocation and use, and replenishment of surface allocation and use, and replenishment of surface allocation and use, and replenishment of surface allocation and use, and replenishment of surface and subsurface water resourcesand subsurface water resourcesChanging patterns of water useChanging patterns of water use
Increasing urbanizationIncreasing urbanizationEnergy and industrial water useChanging irrigation practices—less land area, more intensive agriculture; competition with local usesCli i f ll d h k d l iClimate: rainfall patterns; drought; snowpack depletion
Water quality managementWater quality managementSaltsSaltsNutrientsNutrientsNutrientsNutrientsPathogensPathogensToxinsToxinsTrace contaminantsTrace contaminants
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Trace contaminantsTrace contaminantsProcess residualsProcess residualsUnknown/future issuesUnknown/future issues
Overview of Water Reuse Overview of Water Reuse Drivers for water reuse:Drivers for water reuse:
Augment water supplyD L k f t Dry areas: Lack of water sourcesLocally available drought resistant resource
Environmental protectionReduce discharges to environmentally sensitive receiving waterssensitive receiving watersControl release of waterborne contaminants
Non potable reuse applicationsNon potable reuse applicationsIndustrial cooling and process waterI i i i l d l dIrrigation: agriculture and landscapeUrban settings:In-building applicationsRestore hydrologic balance
Aquifer storage and recovery systemsGroundwater rechargeGroundwater rechargeIn-stream flowsWetlands and surface water augmentation
Indirect potable reuseIndirect potable reuseH d k l d f H d k l d f
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How do we know reclaimed water is safe How do we know reclaimed water is safe for its intended usesfor its intended uses——microbiologically microbiologically and chemicallyand chemically
Ad RAd RAdvantages to ReuseAdvantages to ReusePreservation of higher quality Preservation of higher quality Preservation of higher quality Preservation of higher quality water sources.water sources.Produced in close proximity to Produced in close proximity to
t dt dwater needswater needsInfrastructure and treatment Infrastructure and treatment are already in place are already in place y py p(sanitation, environmental (sanitation, environmental protection)protection)Treatment can be tailored to Treatment can be tailored to Treatment can be tailored to Treatment can be tailored to meet needs of usersmeet needs of usersEnergyEnergy--carbon footprint carbon footprint benefitsbenefits
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benefitsbenefitsReplenishment of natural Replenishment of natural hydrologic cycleshydrologic cycles
I d t i l W t S tI d t i l W t S tIndustrial Water SystemsIndustrial Water SystemsSources of water for industrial use•Local surface or groundwater supplies—depending on water rights/permits/availabilityon water rights/permits/availability•Municipal water systems•Municipal reuse systems•On-site reuse systems
Goal:Z Li id
Water for:Production,Cooling,Cleaning
Effluent
Zero LiquidDischarge
Treatment
Cleaning,and otherNeeds
W t R l tiWater Reclamation Reuse,and Recycling
Water availability/quality issues•Competing water needs (public water systems aquatic
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•Competing water needs (public water systems, aquatic habitats, irrigation, energy)•Unregulated contaminants—safeguards for public health protection, environmental issues•Sustainability
Strategic Use of Technology to Tailor Strategic Use of Technology to Tailor Water Quality for Intended UsesWater Quality for Intended Uses
ale) Salinity reduction (RO, Distil.)
Drinking Water
W ter (
No
sca
T ti T t tNo salinity reduction
Hardness reduction (NF, EDR)
Water sources,Rain water
ty o
f Wat
e Tertiary Treatment•Irrigation of food crops•Landscape irrigation•Industrial uses
Wastewater
Qua
lit Secondary Treatment•Irrigation of fodder, orchards, etc.
Primary Treatment
Stormwater
10 Time Sequence (No scale)
Characteristics of reclaimed waterCharacteristics of reclaimed waterCharacteristics of reclaimed waterCharacteristics of reclaimed waterMonitored routinely (permits or Monitored routinely (permits or
regulatory requirementsregulatory requirementsLimited information :Limited information :
regulatory requirementsregulatory requirementsBODBODSuspended SolidsSuspended Solids
PathogensPathogensOrganicsOrganics• Characterization
Bacterial indicatorsBacterial indicatorsNutrientsNutrientsChlorine residualChlorine residual
• Characterization• Health effects
Trace contaminantsTrace contaminantsChlorine residualChlorine residual
Monitored infrequentlyMonitored infrequentlyMetalsMetals
• Endocrine disruptors• Trace pharmaceuticals
AntibioticsAntibiotic resistance
Priority pollutantsPriority pollutantsDisinfection byproductsDisinfection byproductsEmerging contaminantsEmerging contaminants
Antibiotic resistance
• Personal care products
Biomarkers of Biomarkers of exposureexposure
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g gg g exposureexposure
K l d l t d t l i d t K l d l t d t l i d t Knowledge gaps related to reclaimed water Knowledge gaps related to reclaimed water quality and water reusequality and water reuse
Pathogen control and Pathogen control and ggassessmentassessmentTrace contaminantsTrace contaminants--fate and fate and transformationtransformationTools for assessing Tools for assessing effectiveness of treatment effectiveness of treatment Distribution system design Distribution system design and operationand operationand operationand operationProcess controlProcess controlSalt accumulationSalt accumulationW t lit h d t W t lit h d t Water quality changes due to Water quality changes due to distribution and storagedistribution and storageRealReal--time monitoringtime monitoringSecurity/vulnerabilitySecurity/vulnerability
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Security/vulnerabilitySecurity/vulnerabilityRisk assessmentRisk assessmentCost/pricingCost/pricing
ORD’s “Direct” and “Indirect” Research ORD’s “Direct” and “Indirect” Research activities relevant to water reuseactivities relevant to water reuse
Wastewater derived contaminantsWastewater derived contaminants• Characterization and monitoring• Health risks• Environmental protection
l • Recreational waterPublic health protectionPublic health protection
• Exposure• Health effects• Risk management• Risk management
Source water protectionSource water protectionTechnologies and Treatment system reliabilityTechnologies and Treatment system reliabilityInfrastructureInfrastructure
b l d d b l d dWater balance and Water Resources AdaptationWater balance and Water Resources Adaptation• Water availability forecasting methodologies• Riparian and wetland restoration• Conservation and protection of resources to maintain water quality and water
availability
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availability• Assessment and management of aquifer recharge to address water availability
issues
Mi bi l i l h lth d i t l Mi bi l i l h lth d i t l
Water Quality ConcernsWater Quality Concerns•• Microbiological health and environmental Microbiological health and environmental
risksrisks• Viruses, bacteria, protozoa• Algae and cyanobacteria• Algae and cyanobacteria• Antibiotic resistance
•• Chemical health risksChemical health risks• Fuel components and byproducts• Fuel components and byproducts• PPCPs (Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products)• Endocrine disrupting compounds• Metals • Surfactants and dyes• Volatile constituents• Treatment process byproducts and residuals
14•• Nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus)Nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus)•• SaltsSalts
N ti l E R h L b t (NERL) National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL): Proteomics for Better Pathogen Characterization
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W t t h l li tiW t t h l li tiWater technology applicationsWater technology applicationsWater quality monitoringWater quality monitoring• Safety Security Regulatory complianceSafety, Security, Regulatory compliance
Health risksSystem reliability
• Habitat protection/restoration• Habitat protection/restorationNutrients, pH, temp, salinity, and turbidityBiota
T t t ffi f d ffi iT t t ffi f d ffi iTreatment efficacy, performance, and efficiencyTreatment efficacy, performance, and efficiencyWater Infrastructure:Water Infrastructure: integrity, condition integrity, condition assessment, operations, and health risksassessment, operations, and health risksWater managementWater management• Surface water, underground sources of water• Water use efficiency
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y• Source water protection, replenishment, and rehabilitation• Water-energy interdependencies—
carbon “footprint” of water; water demand of energy
Underground Sources of Drinking WaterUnderground Sources of Drinking Water
Modeling Experimental Studies Field Studies
Modeling studies to develop user-f i dl
Experimental studies to examine
d d
Field investigations:• Potential leakage
f b d d friendly software for use by regulators for
it
underground injection and recharge:• Potential for metals
l d th
from abandoned wells
• Aquifer characterization and monitoring
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permit evaluations
release and other impacts
• Water quality changes
g• Water-rock
interactions
E i t l t diE i t l t diExperimental studiesExperimental studies•Fate and transport of
l it t t i t d recalcitrant contaminants and micronutrients in water treatment, transport, and beneficial reuse processesbeneficial reuse processes
•Pesticide and herbicide (e.g., aldicarb, atrazine), pharmaceuticals (e g pharmaceuticals (e.g., ibuprofen), neurostimulants (e.g., caffeine), macronutrients ),(e.g., N, P)•biological contaminants (cryptosporidium)
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•Microbial risk characterization
On site water management: Demonstration ProjectsOn site water management: Demonstration ProjectsOn site water management: Demonstration ProjectsOn site water management: Demonstration Projects
• Installing in heavily-used parking lotSide-by-side demonstration of• Measuring (among other things) relative
infiltration changes with time (use)• Measuring the performance of each
surface under similar climatic conditions
y3 permeable pavement systems• Paving Stones• Porous Concrete• Porous Asphalt
191919
and operation• Porous Asphalt
W t B lW t B l
Jeff Yang; ORD-NRMRL
Water BalanceWater BalanceQET
Agriculture
Evapotrans-piration
QAG
QWW-AG
QAgriculture
ContinentalPrecipitation
Human Consumptive Use Wastewater
QSW
QP
QSW-AG QGW-AG
QWW
Surface WaterOcean Discharge
2
34
QGW
QSW-GW
GroundwaterHabitat &
Ecological Needs
1QW
W-S
W
QW
W-G
W
20
Q
• The use of reclaimed water as alternative water resource
• Quality and quantity: interrelated
Water resources and infrastructure Water resources and infrastructure analytical toolsanalytical toolsanalytical toolsanalytical tools
National Water Reuse Need Assessment
Secondary Activated Sl d T
Where it is needed?
What and how much emerging t i t i l i d t ?
National Water Reuse Need Assessment
Secondary Activated Sl d T
Where it is needed?
What and how much emerging t i t i l i d t ?
National Water Reuse Need Assessment
Secondary Activated Sl d T
Where it is needed?
What and how much emerging t i t i l i d t ?
No precipitation in April, 5-yr MA
e po
lygo
n ar
ea (k
m2 )
6.0e+4
9.0e+4
1.2e+5
1.5e+5
Sludge Treatment
Advanced treatment process
Reclaimed Water Distribution Station
perim
enta
l Tes
ting
contaminants in reclaimed water?
How can we control?
Do microbes grow or re-grow in transportation?
Sludge Treatment
Advanced treatment process
Reclaimed Water Distribution Station
perim
enta
l Tes
ting
contaminants in reclaimed water?
How can we control?
Do microbes grow or re-grow in transportation?
Sludge Treatment
Advanced treatment process
Reclaimed Water Distribution Station
perim
enta
l Tes
ting
contaminants in reclaimed water?
How can we control?
Do microbes grow or re-grow in transportation?
Date
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Aver
age
0.0
3.0e+4
National water reuse need analysis
Soil Columns for Fate and Transport Studies
Exp
What are the impacts of residual contaminants in reuse?
Soil Columns for Fate and Transport Studies
Exp
What are the impacts of residual contaminants in reuse?
Soil Columns for Fate and Transport Studies
Exp
What are the impacts of residual contaminants in reuse?
Sierra
Great Basin and Ranges
Great Plains
Water reuse experimental testing0
0 – 10.7
10.7 – 21.5
21.5 – 32.2
32.2 – 43.0
April 1985precipitation (cm)
Nevada
43.0 – 53.7
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Secondary treatment: activated sludge systems
Soil column for irrigation simulations
Secondary treatment: activated sludge systems
Soil column for irrigation simulationsLow-pressure MBR development for
water reuse
Water Availability ForecastingPeriodicity-based long-term predictions Methodology and(decades) Methodology and
techniques
GIS and wavelet d li RCM
2050.janWater
Availability
modeling, RCM calibration, and remote-sensing based Waterbased Water Availability Index (WAI) techniques in an integrated
WAI-based short-term predictions(days, weeks)
an integrated platform
Support long-term planning and short
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Yang et al. (2008), Yang & Goodrich (2008), Chang et al. (2008)
planning and short-term operations
I t t d h hI t t d h hHistorical hydrologicIsotopic tracing and Remote sensing and
Monitoring and
Integrated research approachIntegrated research approach
Stream flow robust statistics
Historical hydrologic data mining
Isotopic tracing and hydrosources
Earthquake and volcanisms
satellite imagery
Watershed adaptation
Monitoring and modeling
Emerging contaminants
Water reuseneeds
Long-term water availability(Climate change, heuristic prediction, watershed Water demand changes
Adaptation water Resource engineering
GCM, RCM
Atmospheric
GeophysicsWater infrastructure
adaptation
Water treatment
Water Resources
Sustainable climate mitigation measures(alternative energy, carbon sequestration)
hydrologic changes)g
(demographic change,economic activities, etc)
modeling
Water requirement & water impact in alternative energy
Water reuse
Water Resources Adaptation
carbon sequestration)(ethanol, butanol) production
Potential groundwater impacts in carbon
i dWater demand
Wastewater treatment & reuse
Integrated modeling and simulation
Population and economic data mining
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sequestration and storage prediction economic data mining and synthesis
Summary and ConclusionsSummary and ConclusionsTransitions at EPATransitions at EPA
I i b i i• Increasing concerns about emerging contaminants• Increasing interest in water efficiency, water-energy nexus, climate,
environmental justice
Evolving directions of ORD’s waterEvolving directions of ORD’s water--relevant research relevant research Evolving directions of ORD s waterEvolving directions of ORD s water relevant research relevant research programsprograms
More integration—less fragmentation“Greening” of research
– Infrastructure– Technology– Integration of reuse in research “waterscape”– Water availability-quality interdependenciesWater availability quality interdependencies– New dimensions to research on contaminants– Incorporate ecosystems services into paradigms for water resources
managementIncreased collaboration
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Increased collaborationBecome more “nimble” and more multi-disciplinary
ORD Laboratories and CentersORD Laboratories and CentersLaboratoriesLaboratoriesLaboratoriesLaboratories• National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL)• National Health and Environmental Effects
Research Laboratory (NHEERL)• National Risk Management Research Laboratory
(NRMRL)(NRMRL)CentersCenters• National Center for Computational Toxicology (NCCT)• National Center for Environmental Research (NCER)• National Center for Exposure Assessment (NCEA)• National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC)
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National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC)
ORD Laboratories and CentersORD Laboratories and Centers
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EPA RegionsEPA Regions
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Addi i l I f iAddi i l I f iAdditional InformationAdditional InformationORD’s Research Programs and LaboratoriesORD’s Research Programs and Laboratoriesgg
http://www.epa.gov/ORDhttp://www.epa.gov/ORD
Contact info:Contact info:Dr Audrey D LevineDr Audrey D LevineDr. Audrey D. LevineDr. Audrey D. [email protected] [email protected] 202202--564564--10701070202202--564564--10701070
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