TCEQ Trade Fair Joel Klumpp Texas Commission on Environmental Quality TCEQ Review Process for Innovative Water Treatment Technologies

Drinking Water Only This presentation is focused on Drinking Water approval processes, NOT: Wastewater Air Water Rights Anything else

DESALINATION

In the Distant Past (2012) Currently TCEQ has design requirements in rule Exception process for anything not in the design rule Desalination and membrane processes not in the rule, thus require an exception. And require a pilot study

Mission To identify a solution to streamline the TCEQ drinking water processes involving approval of brackish groundwater desalination while assuring the required quality and quantity of drinking water. To work with a balanced group of stakeholders to identify potential alternatives to pilot studies for membrane filtration that provide solutions in developing new water supplies for the state and gather necessary information to support the regulatory program requirements.

Stakeholder Process Goals A new staff guidance document for a streamlined approval process New process finalized by January 1, 2013 Posted to TCEQ’s web page

Stakeholder Process Results Staff guidance document with approval process posted on TCEQ’s webpage at: To further assist drought stricken communities, the TCEQ will offer concurrent reviews of plans, specifications and exception requests for brackish groundwater RO plants

But we didn’t stop there… TCEQ initiated new rules which are slated for adoption on July 1, 2015 These rules include design criteria for reverse osmosis and nanofiltration for the removal of salts or inorganic contaminants Once adopted, public water systems will no longer need an exception but will still need plan approval

The proposed rules: Allow for computer model results in lieu of pilot testing to demonstrate that treatment for chemicals will be effective Cannot be used for approval of pathogen treatment Allow for treatment process approval for primary contaminants such as Arsenic, Fluoride, and Nitrate

You may not need a pilot… There are other options besides pilot studies: Alternative site data Pilot in place for systems already using the water Full-scale verification study Contact us!

REUSE

Wastewater Reuse Wastewater reuse as a water management and conservation tool. Reuse activities include: Irrigation Industrial processes Hydraulic fracturing Fire protection Construction: dust suppression/soil compaction WWTP on-site use Potable Reuse

Figure taken from 2012 EPA Guidelines for Water Reuse

Definitions De facto reuse: A situation where reuse of treated wastewater is, in fact, practiced but is not officially recognized Direct Potable Reuse (DPR): The introduction of reclaimed water (with or without retention in an engineered storage buffer) directly into a drinking water treatment plant, either collocated or remote from the advanced wastewater treatment system Indirect Potable Reuse (IPR): Augmentation of a drinking water source (surface or groundwater) with reclaimed water followed by an environmental buffer that precedes drinking water treatment

Potable Reuse in Texas Two plants in operation One plant with construction approval One PWS preparing to pilot test their proposed treatment process Many other PWSs have expressed interest…

TCEQ Approach Case-by-case basis Drought response Require a pilot study (or verification test) Start counting credits after WWTP Sum of removal and inactivation credits must meet or exceed minimum treatment required No requirement for storage No pathogen treatment credit for RO

Factors to Consider Water Rights No real-time pathogen monitoring Brine management of RO waste stream Public acceptance

Current Status of DPR Projects in Texas CRMWD at Big Spring Start date: April 2013 Status: operational Wichita Falls Emergency Temporary DPR Project Start date: July 2014 Status: operational City of Brownwood Start date: construction approval + full-scale verification granted December 2012; no decision to begin project at this time El Paso Water Utilities DPR Start date: unsure at this time; currently preparing to pilot test their proposed treatment process

The Future of Reuse in Texas We expect to see more DPR proposals, especially if the drought continues Lessons learned so far: PWSs should evaluate all sources of water before moving forward with a reuse project The multiple barriers required for reuse projects are expensive and require experienced operators

The Future of Reuse in Texas Lessons learned continued: DPR Projects include innovative treatment technologies which require either a pilot study or a full-scale verification test Due to the innovative nature of these projects, TCEQ review of DPR projects takes more time than other projects; public water systems considering DPR should factor in adequate review time

Questions? Joel Klumpp TCEQ