DENVER, CO, (BUSINESS WIRE) SEPTEMBER 19, 2016 -- The Water Research Foundation (WRF), a leading sponsor of innovative research supporting the water community, is pleased to announce a new project that will determine water quality parameter ranges that are protective of public health and would enable utilities to expand their water supplies by utilizing conventional treatment of stormwater, graywater, and treated wastewater.
Seawater, brackish water and, more recently, potable reuse of treated wastewater are increasingly being used to diversify and improve the sustainability of our water supply portfolios. Of late, there has been much discussion about the expanded use of stormwater and graywater to bolster public water supply diversity and sustainability, while leveraging green stormwater infrastructure programs. However, much of the prior research into reuse of stormwater and graywater has focused on on-site non-potable reuse.
This project, "Conventional Drinking Water Treatment of Alternative Water Sources: Source Water Requirements" (project #4665), will study these alternative sources to assess their viability as a potable water supply. The emphasis will be on stormwater and graywater, which are less-researched alternatives, but will also include information on wastewater treatment plant effluent.
"Stormwater, graywater, and treated wastewater reuse could be a significant option to help utilities expand their water supply portfolio," said Rob Renner, CEO of the Water Research Foundation. "More utilities could have access to these alternative supplies if it is determined that conventional treatment is a viable option to treat some of these sources."
The Principal Investigator for this project is Christopher P. Hill, PE, BCEE, ENV SP, Vice-President, Water Division, Arcadis, U.S., Inc. The Co-Principal Investigators for this project are Douglas M. Owen, PE, BCEE, ENV SP, President, Owen Water Consulting, LLC and R. Shane Trussell, Ph.D., PE, BCEE, President, Trussell Technologies, Inc.
About the Water Research Foundation
The Water Research Foundation is the leading not-for-profit research cooperative that advances the science of water to protect public health and the environment. Governed by utilities, WRF plans, manages, and delivers scientifically sound research solutions on the most critical challenges facing the water community in the areas of drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and reuse. Over the last 50 years, WRF has sponsored nearly 1,500 research projects valued at $500 million, and serves more than 1,000 subscribing organizations. For more information, go to www.WaterRF.org.
