1. Oregon Natural Treatment Systems for Wastewater Natural Treatment Systems – A Water Quality Match for Oregon’s Cities and Towns June, 2014 Oregon Department of Environmental Quality 1

2. Natural Treatment Systems Excellent match for meeting the wastewater treatment needs of Oregon communities Effective – Often easier to maintain – Cheaper to operate Good match for much of rural Oregon – Work in urban settings also Collaborative process – ACWA/DEQ 2Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon

3. What is a Natural Treatment System? Constructed wetlands Recycled water – Irrigation – Commercial uses Tree farms – Hybrid poplar Indirect discharge Water quality trading Wastewater ponds 3Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon

4. Why Natural Treatment Systems? Derive value from treated wastewater Build upon rural Oregon skill set – Agriculture and forestry skills Minimize chemical use Lower energy costs Simpler to install and operate – Minimal dependence on mechanical processes Can be less expensive to operate Meet environmental requirements at lower costs Provide multiple benefits to meet a number of community needs Some can be designed to have a simpler State-Only water quality permit 4Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon

5. Natural Systems - Science Based Bacterial decomposition Natural aeration & cooling Settling of particles Metals decrease through uptake by plants & soil Nutrient uptake by plants Filtration by gravels and other media Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon5

6. Illustration Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon6

7. Wetland Treatment Free Water Surface – Visually resemble natural marshes Vegetated Submerged Bed – No standing water Benefits – Wildlife habitat – Recreational opportunities – Environmental education – Park like setting Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon7

8. Phyto Treatment Recycled Water – Effluent used to irrigate fields, golf courses Pasture, fodder – Plants uptake nutrients, soil filters out particles Tree farms – Effluent used to grow poplars – Sale of wood can offset costs Benefits – Uses treated water – Conserves potable water Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon8

9. Indirect Discharge Infiltrate treated effluent into the sands and gravels near the riverbed – Mimics the natural processes of side channel and floodplain discharges in a river system Additional treatment Naturally cools Benefits – Additional treatment through natural systems – Keeps flow in river – Treats a variety of pollutants 9Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon

10. Water Quality Trading Restoration of natural areas – Riparian restoration generates water quality trading credits Improved environmental performance – Riparian restoration decreases temperature AND reduces a number of other pollutants Sediment Nutrients Oregon utilities using water quality trading – Improve environmental outcome – Save ratepayer dollars Benefits – Multiple environmental benefits – More cost effective than mechanical systems for temperature and nutrient removal Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon10

11. Wastewater Pond Systems Natural treatment Recycled water use in summer – Some discharge in winter Good match to marry with other natural systems Benefits – Lower energy and chemical costs – Lower maintenance and operations costs Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon11

12. Example Treatment Systems in Oregon Wetlands – City of Salem Golf Course Irrigation – City of Newberg – City of Prineville – City of Bend Poplars – City of Woodburn – MWMC/Eugene/Springfield Variety of Natural Systems – Roseburg Urban Sanitary Authority Water Quality Trading – Clean Water Services – City of Medford Wastewater Ponds – City of Yoncalla – City of Gervais 12Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon

13. Salem Wetlands Wetland treatment system – Installed in 2002 Water quality improvement and community asset Effectively treats ammonia – Cost of $80 per day 13Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon

14. MWMC Eugene/Springfield Poplars Biocycle Farm – Poplar plantation Irrigates with treated wastewater Fertilized with biosolids – 400 acres planted with 88,000 hybrid poplar trees 14Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon

15. Golf Course Irrigation Prineville Bend Newberg 15Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon

16. RUSA – Variety of Systems Discharging to the South Fork of the Umpqua River, RUSA faced many water quality challenges Blended a number of natural systems Meeting all DEQ requirements Fraction of costs – Installation and on-going 16Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon

17. Water Quality Trading Clean Water Services – Community & Agriculture Partners – 10 years of success Planted over 1 million native plants Restored over 25 miles of streamside – 95% cost savings compared to conventional technology Saved more than $100 million since 2004 Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon17

18. Water Quality Trading Medford – Restoring 25 miles of streamside riparian vegetation – Options Chillers – $16 million Vegetation restoration – $6 million Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon18

19. Wastewater Ponds Variety of Oregon communities use ponds including: – Yoncalla – Gervais – Dufur – Wedderburn – Condon Opportunity to use treated water for irrigation – State Only WQ permit Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon19

20. Design Considerations/Challenges A mix of natural treatment systems a good match for many Oregon communities – Rural and urban Hire knowledgeable, experienced experts Tour similar systems Involve regulatory agencies early Involve and educate – Elected Officials – Community 20Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon

21. Design Considerations/Challenges Work carefully with neighbors Focus on life cycle system costs – Especially for energy and chemicals One size doe not fit all – Find the right match for your community Site, community, location, etc. 21Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon

22. Summary Natural Treatment Systems – Good match for Oregon communities facing stringent water quality permits Especially in rural Oregon – Many existing natural treatment systems in Oregon Tour and learn – Oregon DEQ is a willing partner Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon22

23. Promoting Natural Treatment Systems Using Natural Treatment Systems in Oregon23