Overcoming the Challenge of Interbasin Transfer
Interbasin Transfer
As a part of the Brown and Caldwell Team, we are assisting DeKalb County with solving challenges related to water reuse. Our approach to assisting the County is to overcome challenges unique to interbasin transfers between the Chattahoochee River Basin and the Ocmulgee River Basin within the Atlanta Metropolitan area.
Our tasks include the developing water reuse concepts for non-potable, indirect and direct reuse applications within the County to reduce potable water withdrawals and reduce interbasin transfers. Other tasks included identifying the treatment of emerging contaminants and emerging pathoge.
We are led the effort to develop reuse concepts that match the different levels of reuse with existing regulations. We also conducted an assessment of a variety of advanced treatment technologies–including the development of a cost impact for each. The outcome of this study was the creation of an analysis matrix of the technologies which the county used to determine their best opportunities for effective action.
Reuse Concept Development–
We met with regulators to discuss permitting process for non-potable, indirect and direct reuse and reviewed and identified the permitting requirements for non-potable, indirect and direct reuse. Once the requirements for permitting were established we developed the following preliminary non-potable and indirect reuse concepts.
- Water reuse pipeline to Chattahoochee River near Johns Creek or near Utoy Creek
- Satellite MBR facilities for public/private partnerships
- Constructed wetlands for sustainable pretreatment for water reservoir
- Reuse blending in the South River for indirect or direct water treatment plant facility.
Evaluation and Application of Advanced Technology–
We assumed overall responsibility for identifying and evaluating applications of advanced technologies to remove emerging contaminates. Cost estimates were developed for each treatment and direct potable water technology to establish a price per gallon. A treatment train approach was developed to establish levels of treatment and redundancy for non-potable, indirect reuse applications.
Alternative Analysis–
We assumed overall responsibility for developing the alternative analysis matrix which the County will use to evaluate the reuse concepts developed during the study. The analysis includes evaluation of present value cost, technical feasibility and regulatory feasibility. DeKalb County populated the alternative analysis matrix and indicated the indirect and non-potable discharge pipeline alternatives were favorable alternatives for a reuse water solution for DeKalb County.
Reuse Concept Development–
We met with regulators to discuss permitting process for non-potable, indirect and direct reuse and reviewed and identified the permitting requirements for non-potable, indirect and direct reuse. Once the requirements for permitting were established we developed the following preliminary non-potable and indirect reuse concepts.
- Water reuse pipeline to Chattahoochee River near Johns Creek or near Utoy Creek
- Satellite MBR facilities for public/private partnerships
- Constructed wetlands for sustainable pretreatment for water reservoir
- Reuse blending in the South River for indirect or direct water treatment plant facility.
Evaluation and Application of Advanced Technology–
We assumed overall responsibility for identifying and evaluating applications of advanced technologies to remove emerging contaminates. Cost estimates were developed for each treatment and direct potable water technology to establish a price per gallon. A treatment train approach was developed to establish levels of treatment and redundancy for non-potable, indirect reuse applications.
Alternative Analysis–
We assumed overall responsibility for developing the alternative analysis matrix which the County will use to evaluate the reuse concepts developed during the study. The analysis includes evaluation of present value cost, technical feasibility and regulatory feasibility. DeKalb County populated the alternative analysis matrix and indicated the indirect and non-potable discharge pipeline alternatives were favorable alternatives for a reuse water solution for DeKalb County.