This spring the Denver Water Recycling Plant is hosting a project that showcases the benefits of reusing water. The PureWater Colorado Demonstration Project uses Xylem technology to demonstrate how direct potable reuse is a safe, reliable and sustainable drinking water source.
Water reuse is part of Colorado’s Water Plan to reduce the amount of water diverted from rivers and streams, creating a sustainable, efficient way to extend the state’s water supplies. Denver Water partnered with Carollo Engineers, WateReuse Colorado (WRCO) and Xylem on the reuse project.
The project uses a five-step process to purify water: ozonation, biological filtration, microfiltration, granular activated carbon filtration and ultraviolet light.
Learn how the reuse process works at the plant
“We are very excited to be part of this forward-looking, important project that aims to promote a sustainable, reliable and safe drinking water treatment process,” says Steve Green, Business Development Manager, Xylem. “It is crucial that we implement sustainable solutions, like water reuse, to meet future water needs.”
A range of Xylem’s solutions are used in the project, including a Wedeco MiPRO advanced oxidation process (AOP) pilot system and a Leopold granulated activated carbon filter pilot, which features a unique treatment train that avoids the use of reverse-osmosis membranes and their associated high capital and operating costs as well as brine disposal.
A water solution for one of the driest states in the US
John Rehring, Vice President, Carollo Engineers says, “As national leaders in water reuse, we were happy to partner with Xylem to demonstrate the use of advanced technologies – an extension of our efforts to develop a regulatory framework, and public outreach activities specific to Colorado.”
Xylem is a frontrunner in the field of water reuse technology, providing advanced solutions and expertise to reuse applications across the US, as well as globally. In California, for example, Xylem’s Wedeco MiPRO advanced oxidation process is operating at Los Angeles Sanitation’s Terminal Island Water Reclamation Plant. The customized solution is the first greenfield AOP design using ultraviolet light with chlorine – a significant innovation to make water reuse more sustainable and cost-effective.
Last year Xylem signed a multiyear commitment (2017-2019) to support Water Environment Research Foundation (WE&RF) research into water reuse, building on a previous three-year research partnership. Internationally, Xylem works together with the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute and the Singapore Public Utilities Board (PUB) to progress water reuse.