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Reid E, Igou T, Zhao Y, Crittenden J, Huang CH, Westerhoff P, Rittmann B, Drewes JE, Chen Y. The Minus Approach Can Redefine the Standard of Practice of Drinking Water Treatment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:7150-7161. [PMID: 37074125 PMCID: PMC10173460 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c09389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Chlorine-based disinfection for drinking water treatment (DWT) was one of the 20th century's great public health achievements, as it substantially reduced the risk of acute microbial waterborne disease. However, today's chlorinated drinking water is not unambiguously safe; trace levels of regulated and unregulated disinfection byproducts (DBPs), and other known, unknown, and emerging contaminants (KUECs), present chronic risks that make them essential removal targets. Because conventional chemical-based DWT processes do little to remove DBPs or KUECs, alternative approaches are needed to minimize risks by removing DBP precursors and KUECs that are ubiquitous in water supplies. We present the "Minus Approach" as a toolbox of practices and technologies to mitigate KUECs and DBPs without compromising microbiological safety. The Minus Approach reduces problem-causing chemical addition treatment (i.e., the conventional "Plus Approach") by producing biologically stable water containing pathogens at levels having negligible human health risk and substantially lower concentrations of KUECs and DBPs. Aside from ozonation, the Minus Approach avoids primary chemical-based coagulants, disinfectants, and advanced oxidation processes. The Minus Approach focuses on bank filtration, biofiltration, adsorption, and membranes to biologically and physically remove DBP precursors, KUECs, and pathogens; consequently, water purveyors can use ultraviolet light at key locations in conjunction with smaller dosages of secondary chemical disinfectants to minimize microbial regrowth in distribution systems. We describe how the Minus Approach contrasts with the conventional Plus Approach, integrates with artificial intelligence, and can ultimately improve the sustainability performance of water treatment. Finally, we consider barriers to adoption of the Minus Approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot Reid
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Thomas Igou
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Yangying Zhao
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - John Crittenden
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Ching-Hua Huang
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Paul Westerhoff
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment, School of Sustainable Engineering and The Built Environment, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Bruce Rittmann
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment, School of Sustainable Engineering and The Built Environment, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Jörg E Drewes
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Yongsheng Chen
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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Kwon S, Zhang C, Oh J, Park K. Sustainability assessment of retrofitting alternatives for large and old wastewater treatment plants in Seoul. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2023; 87:969-986. [PMID: 36853774 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2023.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Old wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) must be upgraded to alleviate the problems associated with aging and reduce their total environmental impacts. To enhance the environmental sustainability in retrofitting large and old WWTPs, the decision-making process for selecting the most appropriate alternative is complicated. In this study, evaluation criteria were proposed to select the most sustainable alternatives for mid- to long-term retrofitting plans for a large WWTP with the treatment capacity of 1.6 M m3/d, which is initially built in 1987. An analytic hierarchy process was applied to estimate the weights of each criterion. Fourteen experts evaluated the relative importance of criteria through pairwise comparisons. In order to assess the current retrofitting opinions, three retrofitting alternatives were constructed: A focused on energy sufficiency; B expanded the bioreactor capacity and enhancement of the facility for incinerating the sludge leaving the anaerobic digestor; C emphasized the treatment of contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs). A achieved the highest score (0.623) owing to the environmental benefits associated with recycling and first flush stormwater treatment. C exhibited the second highest score (0.612) as the focus on CECs removal. B corresponded to the lowest sustainability (0.426), with the lowest scores pertaining to effective land use and first flush stormwater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soonwon Kwon
- Department of Civil Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Korea E-mail:
| | - Chuanli Zhang
- Department of Civil Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Korea E-mail:
| | - Jeill Oh
- Department of Civil Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Korea E-mail:
| | - Kyoohong Park
- Department of Civil Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Korea E-mail:
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Guan G, Wang Y, Yang L, Yue J, Li Q, Lin J, Liu Q. Water-Quality Assessment and Pollution-Risk Early-Warning System Based on Web Crawler Technology and LSTM. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11818. [PMID: 36142084 PMCID: PMC9517095 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The openly released and measured data from automatic hydrological and water quality stations in China provide strong data support for water environmental protection management and scientific research. However, current public data on hydrology and water quality only provide real-time data through data tables in a shared page. To excavate the supporting effect of these data on water environmental protection, this paper designs a water-quality-prediction and pollution-risk early-warning system. In this system, crawler technology was used for data collection from public real-time data. Additionally, a modified long short-term memory (LSTM) was adopted to predict the water quality and provide an early warning for pollution risks. According to geographic information technology, this system can show the process of spatial and temporal variations of hydrology and water quality in China. At the same time, the current and future water quality of important monitoring sites can be quickly evaluated and predicted, together with the pollution-risk early warning. The data collected and the water-quality-prediction technique in the system can be shared and used for supporting hydrology and in water quality research and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoliang Guan
- Department of Geography and Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Yonggui Wang
- Department of Geography and Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Ling Yang
- Department of Geography and Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Jinzhao Yue
- Department of Geography and Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Geography and Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Jianyun Lin
- Ningbo Ligong Environment and Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Ningbo 315800, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Sichuan Province Environmental Monitoring Station, Chengdu 610091, China
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4
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Sharif MN, Bakhtavar E, Haider H, Hu G, Hewage K, Sadiq R. Staged energy and water quality optimization for large water distribution systems. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:232. [PMID: 35229203 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-09874-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Simultaneous optimization of energy and water quality in real-time large-sized water distribution systems is a daunting task for water suppliers. The complexity of energy optimization increases with a large number of pipes, scheduling of several pumps, and adjustments of tanks' water levels. Most of the simultaneous energy and water quality optimization approaches evaluate small (or hypothetical) networks or compromise water quality. In the proposed staged approach, Stage 1 uses a risk-based approach to optimally locate the chlorine boosters in a large distribution system based on residual chlorine failures and the associated consequences in different land uses of the service area. Integrating EPANET and CPLEX software, Stage 2 uses mixed integer goal programming for optimizing the day-ahead pump scheduling. The objective function minimizes the pumping energy cost as well as the undesirable deviations from goal constraints, such as expected water demand. Stage 3 evaluates the combined hydraulics and water quality performances at the network level. The implementation of the proposed approach on a real-time large-sized network of Al-Khobar City in Saudi Arabia, with 44 groundwater wells, 12 reservoirs, 2 storage tanks, 191 mains, 141 junctions, and 17 pumps, illustrated the practicality of the framework. Simulating the network with an optimal pumping schedule and chlorine boosters' locations shows a 40% improvement in water quality performance, desired hydraulics performance with optimal pump scheduling, and an average 20% energy cost reduction compared to the normal (unoptimized) base case scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Nadeem Sharif
- School of Engineering, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus), 1137 Alumni Avenue, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada.
- Prep Year Program, College of General Studies, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ezzeddin Bakhtavar
- School of Engineering, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus), 1137 Alumni Avenue, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
- Faculty of the Environment, Urmia University of Technology, Urmia, Iran
| | - Husnain Haider
- Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Qassim University, Qassim, Buraydah, 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Guangji Hu
- School of Engineering, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus), 1137 Alumni Avenue, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Kasun Hewage
- School of Engineering, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus), 1137 Alumni Avenue, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Rehan Sadiq
- School of Engineering, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus), 1137 Alumni Avenue, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
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Optimization of Pressurized Tree-Type Water Distribution Network Using the Improved Decomposition–Dynamic Programming Aggregation Algorithm. WATER 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/w11071391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pressurized tree-type water distribution network (WDN) is widely used in rural water supply projects. Optimization of this network has direct practical significance to reduce the capital cost. This paper developed a discrete nonlinear model to obtain the minimum equivalent annual cost (EAC) of pressurized tree-type WDN. The pump head and pipe diameter were taken into account as the double decision variables, while the pipe head loss and flow velocity were the constraint conditions. The model was solved by using the improved decomposition–dynamic programming aggregation (DDPA) algorithm and applied to a real case. The optimization results showed that the annual investment, depreciation and maintenance cost (W1) were reduced by 22.5%; however, the pumps’ operational cost (p) increased by 17.9% compared to the actual layout. Overall, the optimal EAC was reduced by 15.2% with the optimized pump head and optimal diameter distribution of the network. This method demonstrated an intrinsic trade-off between investment and operational cost, and provided an efficient decision support tool for least-cost design of pressurized tree-type WDN.
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Solving Management Problems in Water Distribution Networks: A Survey of Approaches and Mathematical Models. WATER 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/w11030562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Modern water distribution networks (WDNs) are complex and difficult to manage due to increased level of urbanization, varying consumer demands, ageing infrastructure, operational costs, and inadequate water resources. The management problems in such complex networks may be classified into short-term, medium-term, and long-term, depending on the duration at which the problems are solved or considered. To address the management problems associated with WDNs, mathematical models facilitate analysis and improvement of the performance of water infrastructure at minimum operational cost, and have been used by researchers, water utility managers, and operators. This paper presents a detailed review of the management problems and essential mathematical models that are used to address these problems at various phases of WDNs. In addition, it also discusses the main approaches to address these management problems to meet customer demands at the required pressure in terms of adequate water quantity and quality. Key challenges that are associated with the management of WDNs are discussed. Also, new directions for future research studies are suggested to enable water utility managers and researchers to improve the performance of water distribution networks.
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Tang J, Zhang C, Shi X, Sun J, Cunningham JA. Municipal wastewater treatment plants coupled with electrochemical, biological and bio-electrochemical technologies: Opportunities and challenge toward energy self-sufficiency. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2019; 234:396-403. [PMID: 30639863 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.12.097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) will face challenges in the coming decades including reducing energy consumption and decreasing carbon emissions. These challenges can be addressed by combining electrochemical, biological, and bio-electrochemical technologies within existing WWTPs. The results from this review indicate that electrochemical technology is an effective advanced treatment method for WWTPs. However, electrochemical technology is not yet economically suitable as a stand-alone unit for treating wastewater because it consumes energy in the operation process. Electricity generation from biological and bio-electrochemical technologies can provide the power supply needed for WWTP electrochemical processes while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. WWTPs coupled with electrochemical, biological, and bio-electrochemical technologies can increase electricity recovery in WWTPs, impart energy self-sufficiency to the WWTPs, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Tang
- School of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Chunhui Zhang
- School of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Xuelu Shi
- School of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jiajun Sun
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Process Pollution Control, Division of Environment Technology and Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jeffrey A Cunningham
- Dept. Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
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Water Supply-Water Environmental Capacity Nexus in a Saltwater Intrusion Area under Nonstationary Conditions. WATER 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/w11020346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Due to water supply increase and water quality deterioration, water resources are a critical problem in saltwater intrusion areas. In order to balance the relationship between water supply and water environment requirements, the nexus of water supply-water environment capacity should be well understood. Based on the Saint–Venant system of equations and the convection diffusion equation, the water supply-water environment capacity nexus physical equation is determined. Equivalent reliability is employed to estimate the boundary design water flow, which will then lead to a dynamic nexus. The framework for determining the nexus was then applied to a case study for the Pearl River Delta in China. The results indicate that the water supply-water environment capacity nexus is a declining linear relationship, which is different from the non-salt intrusion and tide-impacted areas. Water supply mainly relies on freshwater flow from upstream, while water environmental capacity is affected by both the design freshwater flow and the water levels at the downstream boundary. Our methods provide a useful framework for the quantification of the physical nexus according to the water quantity and water quality mechanisms, which are useful for freshwater allocation and management in a saltwater intrusion area or the tail area of cascade reservoirs.
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Molinos-Senante M, Donoso G, Sala-Garrido R, Villegas A. Benchmarking the efficiency of the Chilean water and sewerage companies: a double-bootstrap approach. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:8432-8440. [PMID: 29307067 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-1149-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Benchmarking the efficiency of water companies is essential to set water tariffs and to promote their sustainability. In doing so, most of the previous studies have applied conventional data envelopment analysis (DEA) models. However, it is a deterministic method that does not allow to identify environmental factors influencing efficiency scores. To overcome this limitation, this paper evaluates the efficiency of a sample of Chilean water and sewerage companies applying a double-bootstrap DEA model. Results evidenced that the ranking of water and sewerage companies changes notably whether efficiency scores are computed applying conventional or double-bootstrap DEA models. Moreover, it was found that the percentage of non-revenue water and customer density are factors influencing the efficiency of Chilean water and sewerage companies. This paper illustrates the importance of using a robust and reliable method to increase the relevance of benchmarking tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Molinos-Senante
- Departamento de Ingeniería Hidráulica y Ambiental, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna, 4860, Santiago, Chile.
- Instituto de Estudios Urbanos y Territoriales, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, El Comendador, 1916, Santiago, Chile.
- Centro de Desarrollo Urbano Sustentable CONICYT/FONDAP/15110020, Av. Vicuña Mackenna, 4860, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Guillermo Donoso
- Departamento de Economía Agraria, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna, 4860, Santiago, Chile
- Centro de Derecho y Gestión del Agua, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins, 340, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ramon Sala-Garrido
- Departamento de Matemáticas para la Economía y la Empresa, Universidad de Valencia, Campus dels Tarongers, 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - Andrés Villegas
- Departamento de Economía Agraria, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna, 4860, Santiago, Chile
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Cherchi C, Badruzzaman M, Gordon M, Bunn S, Jacangelo JG. Investigation of Cost and Energy Optimization of Drinking Water Distribution Systems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:13724-13732. [PMID: 26461069 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b03666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Holistic management of water and energy resources through energy and water quality management systems (EWQMSs) have traditionally aimed at energy cost reduction with limited or no emphasis on energy efficiency or greenhouse gas minimization. This study expanded the existing EWQMS framework and determined the impact of different management strategies for energy cost and energy consumption (e.g., carbon footprint) reduction on system performance at two drinking water utilities in California (United States). The results showed that optimizing for cost led to cost reductions of 4% (Utility B, summer) to 48% (Utility A, winter). The energy optimization strategy was successfully able to find the lowest energy use operation and achieved energy usage reductions of 3% (Utility B, summer) to 10% (Utility A, winter). The findings of this study revealed that there may be a trade-off between cost optimization (dollars) and energy use (kilowatt-hours), particularly in the summer, when optimizing the system for the reduction of energy use to a minimum incurred cost increases of 64% and 184% compared with the cost optimization scenario. Water age simulations through hydraulic modeling did not reveal any adverse effects on the water quality in the distribution system or in tanks from pump schedule optimization targeting either cost or energy minimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Cherchi
- MWH Americas, Inc. , 300 North Lake Avenue, Pasadena, California 91101, United States
| | - Mohammad Badruzzaman
- MWH Americas, Inc. , 300 North Lake Avenue, Pasadena, California 91101, United States
| | - Matthew Gordon
- Derceto, Ltd. , 63 Albert Street, Auckland 1141, New Zealand
| | - Simon Bunn
- Derceto, Ltd. , 63 Albert Street, Auckland 1141, New Zealand
| | - Joseph G Jacangelo
- MWH Americas, Inc. , 300 North Lake Avenue, Pasadena, California 91101, United States
- The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
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