12b Attachment - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

METRO WASTEWATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT 6450 York Street - Denver, Colorado 80229 -7499 (303) 286 -3000 Telefax (303) 286 -3030 www.metrowastawater.com July 16, 2010 Colorado Water Conservation Board 1313 Sherman Street, Room 721 Denver, Colorado 80203 dab Charles W. Long, Chairman of the Board Curt A. Aldstadt, Chairman Pro Tern Margaret R. Medellin Secretary George L. Dumas, Treasurer Catherine R. Gerali, District Manager Re: Agenda Item 12b, July 20-21, 2010 Board Meeting Water Supply Reserve Account Project Change - Demonstration of Membrane Zero Liquid Discharge Process for Drinking Water Systems Dear Chairman Blakeslee and Members, I would first like to apologize for missing the July 20 -21, 2010, Board meeting. I appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing all of you at our next meeting in September. I would like to share my thoughts with all of you on agenda item 12b concerning another project change in the Membrane Zero Liquid Discharge Process demonstration project. While this project has encountered a number of challenges in contracting, I continue to support the critical need for the underlying research. As you are all aware, communities throughout Colorado —but especially rural and urban communities in eastern Colorado —face significant challenges in meeting their municipal water supply needs. Many communities are relying on lower - quality water supplies that require higher levels of treatment with membrane technology. While membrane technology is a powerful tool in meeting municipal water supply needs, disposal of the waste concentrate poses significant environmental concerns. The results of this research into zero - liquid discharge disposal methods for this concentrate are critical to meeting the water supply planning needs of many communities and may also have applicability in other areas of the State that face challenges due to selenium or salinity. After unsuccessful attempts to contract with the American Water Works Association Research Foundation and the WateReuse Foundation to complete this project in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Membrane Treatment Workgroup, the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) has now agreed to enter into a contract with the CWCB to manage this project. In addition, the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District, a WERF subscriber, has agreed to serve as the local WERF utility partner to facilitate WERF's participation. WERF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing science and technology addressing water quality issues as they impact water resources. WERF brings significant experience and technical expertise to the management of this research project that I believe will result in a successful project that aids water supply planning in Colorado. Serving Greater Denver WE USE RECYCLED PAPER