Metro - ECCV Zero Liquid Discharge Pilot Study_Water Activity Summary

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water sources. The project addresses an important question facing many water providers and has the potential to help address the discharge of waste streams from coal-bed methane wells, an issue of concern throughout the state. SWSI identified that much of the high quality water on the Front Range that can be treated with conventional methods has been appropriated. Agricultural sources of water, whether a traditional or alternative transfer, will have a large part in addressing Colorado's future water supply "gaps." Many of the future agricultural transfers will involve the diversion and pumpback of lower quality water. In addition, M&I users will also seek to recapture their reusable return flows for use in their potable water systems. Without the ability to effectively treat these lower quality sources and produce safe esthetically acceptable potable water, there could be significant M&I water shortages in the state. Zero liquid discharge of these waste streams will be necessary to meet not only the water supply gap as identified in the Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI), but many of the identified projects and processes that involve the reuse of legally consumable return flows. However, while zero liquid discharge has been used in certain industrial processes, it has never been demonstrated one significant scale for use by water providers. This study will provide information on the technical feasibility, costs, operational considerations, and energy consumption of several zero liquid discharge processes for the treatment of reverse osmosis water treatment concentrate waste streams. The project will provide important data and costs for water resource development that will benefit multiple users, multiple basins, multiple uses, addresses water quality and nonconsumptive issues. The project is matched strongly with basin funds and local match. Issues/Additional Needs: The applicant states that in addition to Front Range water providers, Coal Bed Methane producers on the western slope would also benefit from the pilot study results. The results in and of themselves are valuable enough to fund this study, however, this offers an opportunity for further collaboration and cooperation. The applicant may consider involving experts in the coal bed methane waste stream field and/or affected west slope communities. This study will provide information on the technical feasibility, costs, operational consideration, and energy consumption of several zero liquid discharge processes. A comparison of zero liquid discharge with conventional water treatment, the water treatment system Aurora is implementing through their Prairie Waters Project, and other evolving water supply treatment methods would be valuable. This should be considered as a component of the final report or for future phases. Staff Recommendation: The proposed project meets many of the evaluation criteria as outlined in the discussion. This project has statewide benefits for any water provider considering lower quality water sources, as well as energy impacted communities dealing with coal-bed methane waste streams. Staff recommends funding up to $200,000 from the Metro Basin Account and up to $200,000 from the Statewide Account to fund the Zero Liquid Discharge Pilot Study. Staff recommends the applicant to consider the items in the issues/additional needs section but not require them for approval of funding. All products, data and information developed as a result of this grant must be provided to CWCB in hard copy and electronic format as part of the project documentation. This information will in turn be made widely available to Basin Roundtables and the general public and will help promote the development of a common technical platform. 3