COMPARING COSTS AND BENEFITS OF WASTEWATER AQUIFER RECHARGE AS ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY TO RECLAIMED WATER AND BRACKISH WATER

摘要

Many utilities are considering impaired water sources to meet increasing demands and regulationsrequiring the investigation of alternative water supply sources. Utilities are increasingly expressinginterest in utilizing reclaimed water sources for aquifer recharge and land application projects as well asdesalination technologies in an effort to offset potable water withdrawals. The evolution of thoseprocesses offers significant promise to meet future water supply needs. This project was an investigationof the potential to turn wastewater into a high quality water supply that meets all applicable state andstringent local standards for groundwater recharge to supplement potable water supply sources. Howeverthe costs are often thoguth to be much higher than other alternative water supply options. This paper is areview and comparison of other alternative water supply sources found groundwater recharge to be theleast expensive option in consideration of beneficial impact to the existing potable water supply. Afinding was that power use may actually be reduced with the indirect potable reuse option.