Xylem Provides Water Reuse AOP Technology for Indirect Potable Reuse

Water technology company Xylem has been commissioned to deliver a water reuse system to help increase the supply of purified, recycled water in Los Angeles.

Xylem’s Wedeco MiPRO photo Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) will ensure that the City of Los Angeles Terminal Island Water Reclamation Plant complies with California’s groundwater recharge regulations for indirect potable reuse in the safest and most cost-effective way possible, the company says.

Last month California’s state water board approved emergency drought regulations that aim to slash water use in urban areas by 25 percent. The measures call for cities and water agencies to reduce water usage by 8 to 36 percent.

Water reuse can help meet growing water demands, while safeguarding existing water supplies. Water reuse technology produces high-quality water at a lower life-cycle cost than developing a new water supply, and delivers a resilient, drought-resistant water source with valuable economic and environmental benefits, Xylem says.

Xylem’s Wedeco MiPRO photo AOP solution will be installed as a final barrier against pathogens and contaminants that cannot be removed by other technologies. The MiPRO photo system is part of an expansion of the plant at the Advanced Water Purification Facility, which includes microfiltration and reverse osmosis prior to AOP. The customized system, validated through extensive pilot-scale testing at the plant, will be the first greenfield AOP design using ultraviolet (UV) light with chlorine for indirect potable reuse.

The Terminal Island Water Reclamation Plant treats wastewater from more than 100 businesses in the heavily industrialized Los Angeles harbor area and from 130,000 residents. The plant purifies tertiary effluent, producing potable water quality for recharging the stressed drinking water aquifers. The recycled water will be used as a barrier against seawater intrusion to protect the groundwater against increased salinity, as well as a supply to local industries.

Additionally, Xylem will supply a Sanitaire aeration system to the Terminal Island Water Reclamation Plant for enhancing the performance of the existing wastewater biological treatment system. The Sanitaire fine bubble aeration grids will consist of Silver Series II membrane disc diffusers and ceramic disc diffusers to enhance oxygen transfer, reduce energy costs, and improve the quality of the water feeding the Advanced Water Purification Facility.

Xylem has now provided fine bubble diffused aeration to all the Los Angeles Sanitation’s wastewater treatment plants.