The St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) and CH2M HILL conducted an
extensive pilot study involving the use of integrated membrane systems to produce potable
water from the St. Johns River. The study identified treatment processes and costs involved
in using the St. Johns River as an alternative water supply. This source is one alternative
being evaluated to offset a large water supply deficit projected in eastern central Florida.
The raw water source for the pilot study was Lake Monroe in Sanford, Florida. This lake is
part of the St. Johns River system, and is characteristic of typical Florida surface water with
low turbidity and high dissolved organics. In addition, the lake periodically becomes
brackish from saline groundwater inflow during low rainfall periods.
Prior to testing, a preliminary raw water characterization study was conducted. Raw water
data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was used in the evaluation and
selection of appropriate treatment processes for the pilot program. The characterization
study identified the treatment requirements necessary for St. Johns River water and a
potential treatment facility to be located in the reach between Titusville and DeLand on the
St. Johns River.
The basis of this study was to evaluate pretreatment technologies that would sufficiently
reduce the organic and turbidity levels in the water (e.g., coagulation, clarification, and
filtration) so that effective salt removal could be conducted with reverse osmosis (RO) membranes.
The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the treatability of this source water, identify the
appropriate technology and basic design parameters for treatment, and determine both the
capital and operational costs for this potential facility. The intent is that the information in
this report will assist an entity in implementing a surface water treatment facility in this reach
of the St Johns River and facilitate the next step for a water supply project of this type.
The findings of this study are that the source water in this reach of the St. Johns River is
treatable and can be used as a source for potable drinking water. All of the technologies
identified and selected by the stakeholders for testing in this study demonstrated feasibility
and can be recommended for use on this water.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 330 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 10 |
| Published : | 06/17/2004 |
