Metro - ECCV Zero Liquid Discharge Pilot Study_Water Activity Summary

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The ZLD pilot plant study will evaluate two RO membrane based technologies to concentrate the residual stream from a typical municipal brackish water RO system. The first technology, called VSEP, uses vibrations at the face of the RO membrane to prevent mineral scales from forming on the membrane, and subsequently preventing the flow of water through the membrane. The second technology uses high pressure seawater RO membranes to reduce the volume of the concentrate, and uses ion exchange to remove ions that would form mineral scales on the membrane face. The study will include disposal options if a water stream is still present. This study will provide information on the technical feasibility, costs, operational consideration, and energy consumption of these two zero liquid discharge processes. The Threshold and Evaluation Criteria The application articulates how the project meets all four Threshold Criteria. The project also meets many of the Evaluation Criteria. Most notably: ? Promoting collaboration and cooperation: Membrane treatment will be needed to address M&I water supply gaps across the Front Range in the Metro, South Platte and Arkansas Basins. Results of this pilot study can be used for the development and application of ZLD technologies at a larger scale and benefit Front Range water providers. In addition to Front Range water providers, Coal Bed Methane producers on the western slope would also benefit from the pilot study results. ? Facilitating water activity implementation: Conducting a pilot study of ZLD technologies will reduce the uncertainty of using this technology to meet demands of Front Range water providers. There is an urgency to conduct pilot testing because the Colorado Water Quality Forum's Membrane Treatment Workgroup has recommended the piloting of available technologies. The document describing the workgroup's recommendation is attached to this application and ECCV's proposed scope will address several of the workgroup's recommendations. ? Meeting water management goals and objectives and identified water needs: Many Front Range providers have stated that reuse and traditional or alternative agricultural transfers are part of their Identified Projects and Processes as outlined in the Statewide Water Supply Initiative. In addition, Continued SWSI efforts have outlined that these sources of supply will be needed to meet a portion of the gap. Reuse and agricultural transfers, whether traditional or alternative, will require advanced water treatment processes to meet drinking water requirements. As outlined in SWSI and the Membrane Treatment Workgroup report membrane treatment will be the long-term sustainable technology for meeting the drinking water requirements. ZLD technologies will be needed to remove the salts and other contaminants from the membrane treatment waste stream and provide a sustainable solution. ? The water activity address issues of statewide value: Piloting ZLD technology will ultimately lead to the maximum utilization of state waters. Funding Overview Grant funding is being requested from both the Metro Basin Account ($200,000) and the Statewide Account ($200,000). Since this project is of statewide benefit (applicable to any water provider considering lower quality water sources, as well as energy impact communities dealing with coal-bed methane waste streams) the applicant and the Metro Roundtable thought that a significant amount of should come from both the Basin and the Statewide Accounts. Funding from the WSRA constitutes approximately 84% of the total project cost. ECCV would provide $55,000 in matching funds and South Metro Water Supply Authority would contribute $20,000 towards the total project cost of $475,000. Discussion: Overall the application for funding assistance for Zero Liquid Discharge Pilot Study was well prepared and the project is needed to help determine what portion of future water demands can be met using lower quality 2