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FEDERAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Methodology for Use of Reclaimed at Federal Locations Source: Scott Clark Source: Fort Carson , irrigated with .

The supply of freshwater has become a Water can be reused in three main ways: There are other legislative acts that Federal of concern on a global scale, 1. Water Recycle: Discharge water sites must comply with that do not delineate whether because of future availability or from an application or process is water as a water source. To learn projected economic reasons. In response used again in the same application, more about these policies, visit the FEMP to this expanding problem, the United website for additional reference documents such as the final laundry States Federal Government requires the to help facilitate meeting the water-related rinse water for the next cycle. reduction of water consumed by domestic, goals. industrial, landscaping and agricul- 2. On-site Water Reuse: Discharge www.femp.energy.gov/program/ tural needs at Federal sites. Executive water from one application or waterefficiency.html Order 13514 Federal Leadership in process that is captured, minimally Environmental, Energy, and Economic treated, and is utilized in another Performance directs Federal agencies to application. Examples include gray The steps covered in this fact sheet identify, promote and implement water water(1) reused for or urinal were developed based on information reuse strategies consistent with state laws flushing. that reduce water consumption. Reusing gathered from the EPA Guidelines for (2) water is a large untapped alternative water 3. Water Reclaim: Also termed, Water Reuse . The guidelines provide source for many Federal sites that can reclaimed , is detailed on water reuse across help facilities meet their reduction goals generated by a wastewater treat- the country and on topics not covered by exchanging potable water, industrial, ment facility that is treated to a in this fact sheet. This fact sheet distills landscaping and agricultural water for level that is appropriate for use information from the guidelines to help reuse water. in another application. Examples agencies sort through the complicated include using reclaimed wastewater nature of developing reclaimed for landscape or cooling water projects. In this Fact Sheet: tower make-up. • Step One: Understand State Laws – Contact This fact sheet lays out a step-by-step Step One: Understand State Regulatory Agencies process to help Federal agencies under- State Laws – Contact State • Step Two: Classify Project Type stand the process involved to initiate Regulatory Agencies a water reuse project using reclaimed • Step Three: Purchase or Produce The first step in creating a water reuse wastewater. The use of reclaimed project is to research current state and • Step Four: Permit wastewater is regulated by local and state local laws pertaining to your Federal site. governments. To foster good • Step Five: Work with a Contractor Currently, there are no Federal regula- between Federal sites and their neigh- tions for water reuse, individual states • Step Six: Communicate and Educate bors, Federal agencies are encouraged to determine their water reuse status and work with state and local departments to treatment standards. Not • Case Studies conform to local regulations and codes on all states have regulations or guidance - Fort Carson, Colorado reuse projects. for water reuse and not all states that - Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida

(1) Gray water is defined as domestic wastewater composed of wash water from and laundry sinks, tubs, and washers. It does not include • Additional Resources water contaminated by or . Gray water may be bound by the same regulations as reclaimed water. Facilities thinking about using gray water should follow the steps provided to understand how to follow local regulations and guidelines. (2) www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pubs/625r04108/625r04108.htm continued > 2 FEDERAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

have regulations and guidance allow all include connecting to an existing munici- Information generally required in the Notice categories of water reuse. For example, pal distribution system (if available at the of Intent may include: currently the State of Connecticut does project location), extending not allow water to be reused and the State an existing on-site system, or building • The type of use intended for the of Alaska allows water to be reused only a reclaimed system and infrastructure. reclaimed water in the irrigation of agricultural non-food Some parameters to consider when • Water quality standards ; while the State of Washington choosing the source of reclaimed water • Treatment process allows water to be reused in many ap- include the of the site, the plications. The EPA Guidelines for Water amount of reclaimed water to utilize • Location of supply water Reuse has compiled a list containing on-site, and the purpose of the • Reporting requirements the state departments in charge of reuse reclaimed water. • Associated fees water’s regulation and their websites. Typically, reclaimed water is less expensive than potable water sold from Step Two: Classify Project Type municipalities. However, the quoted cost standards that will be met, treatment pro- Where and how sites utilize reused water for reclaimed water may not include all cess employed to meet these standards, will help guide water managers in the the cost that could be incurred. Delivery source of reclaimed water, and associated right direction in terms of which state costs and cost associated with infrastruc- fees to users. In receiving the Notice of regulations exist for this use type and ture upgrades must be considered for true Authorization, the site agrees to monitor the level of treatment required. Projects cost comparison. the reuse water so that public safety is must meet minimum water quality maintained and the environment is pro- If the site is large enough and has an standards to utilize reuse water. Water tected. For example, the State of Arizona existing facil- managers need to investigate the state’s requires sites reusing water to monitor ity, it may be an economical choice to water quality standards and the treatment levels to ensure the health and designate some of the effluent stream as options available to meet these require- safety of aquatic . Both the State of reclaimed water to be reused in on-site ments. The likelihood of human exposure Colorado and the State of Arizona require applications. However, if the site is small to reclaimed water is the main concern that the total volume of reuse water used and does not treat its wastewater on- of state regulating agencies. If human at a site be reported in conjunction with site, it is more practical to purchase the exposure is likely to be low, a lower qual- annual permit reports submitted to the reclaimed water if available and upgrade ity of water may be approved by the state permitting agency. the site’s infrastructure to accommo- for the reuse application. For example, a date the reclaimed water. Examples of public park will require a higher quality cities that sell reclaimed water include of water in most states than water reused Step Five: Work with a Contractor Olympia, Washington, Tampa, Florida, in maintaining a because of the To ensure that your site meets all regula- and Tucson, Arizona(4). greater potential of human exposure in tions and codes, site water managers a park setting. If there is a type of reuse may want to consider working with an that is not currently regulated by the state Step Four: Permit experienced contractor. An experienced and there is a project that could use the contractor should understand what site Permitting a reclaimed water project unregulated water type, it is possible want to accomplish with the reclaimed may not be as complex as antici- for a state to approve a variance. The water project, understand the state and pated. Permitting is handled by a state types of water reuse categories as defined local regulations and be familiar with agency, usually the State’s Department by the EPA are in the Guidelines for installing water reuse systems. Using an of Environmental Quality or Department Water Reuse(3). experienced contractor may make the of Public Health. Permitting reclaimed water reuse project process smoother water projects is intended to ensure that because the contractor can walk the this water is safe to the public and will Step Three: Purchase or Produce site through each step outlined in this not harm the local environment. To initi- When it comes to selecting the source of fact sheet. Note, the contractor may not ate the permitting process, most states the reclaimed water there are two basic follow the steps exactly as outlined here require submission of a Notice of Intent. options to purchase reclaimed water from in this fact sheet, but should get the site If the project is accepted, then the state a local municipal wastewater treatment to the ultimate goal of developing a water responds with a Notice of Authorization. plant or a “mixing” facility, or to pro- reuse project. If the site needs to locate Information generally required in the duce(4) reclaimed water on-site. Choosing an experienced contractor, the site may Notice of Intent may include the intended the source of reclaimed water can range want to start its search in the US General use for the reclaimed water, water quality from simple to complex. Considerations Services Administration (GSA) Federal

(3) Reclaimed water is produced by the advanced treatment of domestic wastewater. This advanced treatment may include additional , additional nutrient removal, oxidation, , treatment with disinfection, or . (4) www.epa.gov/region9/waterinfrastructure/az-watersense-award.html continued > FEDERAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 3

Supply Schedule. Water managers may consider utilizing the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Sourcebook, which is an online resource of AWWA member contractors. The Sourcebook identifies contractors specially designated as “water reclama- tion and reuse”. Find more information at: sourcebook.awwa.org/

The GSA Federal Supply Schedule(5) provides a contracting mechanism for Federal agencies to acquire products and services. The GSA eLibrary contains a list of all GSA schedules. From the main eLibrary list(6), water managers can select facilities maintenance and management (Source 03FAC) or run a key word search with the terms “” or “water reuse.” The GSA Schedule for is 871 210 and is in the facilities maintenance and management services(7). Selecting the search category from the main source, GSA returns a list of contractors Figure 1. Water Reuse Project Steps. that are approved to work water efficiency contracts. for reuse on-site to serve as successful water is stored in an on-site pond to examples of sites described in this meet peak season irrigation demands Step Six: Communicate fact sheet. (see Figure 2). This pond is accessible to and Educate players as at least one fairway abuts the An important step that must be taken in south side of the pond creating a golfing Find FEMP Best Management Practices using a water reuse system is educating water hazard. Fort Carson recognized the Case Studies on water reuse projects at: the people that will be exposed to the sys- www.femp.energy.gov/program/ benefits of reusing their treated effluent tem. People that are exposed to the sys- waterefficiency_csstudies.html in the early 1970s, before the State of tem include operation and maintenance Colorado required permitting for reuse staff, facilities personnel, and occupants sites. Fort Carson was “grandfathered” in the buildings. For example, education into the State’s system but still maintains can include placards outside restrooms a Notice of Authorization with the indicating that reuse water is being used Fort Carson, Colorado Colorado Department of Public Health to flush and urinals. Additionally, it US Army Fort Carson is located near and Environment (CDPHE). The treated may be beneficial for the site to publicize Colorado Springs, Colorado. Colorado effluent is considered Category 2 water, to the surrounding community that water Springs receives an average precipita- which is defined by the state as water reuse is on-site as a way to conserve the tion of 16 inches per year, and the city that receives with community’s . is growing in population. The Fort filtration and disinfection while meeting and the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site state set limits for additional parameters. The following flow chart (Figure 1) occupies 373,000 acres, of which 9 The Notice of Authorization requires Fort shows the beginning steps followed million square feet is facility space and Carson to monitor, record, and report as in this fact sheet. 4 million square feet is family housing. stipulated by the Water Quality Control It is within these constraints that Fort Division of the CDPHE. General require- Case Studies Carson treats their wastewater on-site. ments in Colorado include the quality The treated water is reclaimed and then of water delivered, the total volume of Provided below are brief synopses of case sent to the Fort Carson Golf Course to water used, any violations of the Notice studies at sites that reclaim wastewater be used as irrigation water. The treated of Authorization, and documentation

(5) Find general information on the GSA Schedules at: www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/channelView.do?pageTypeId=17112&channelId=-24731 (6) Search for specific water related services on the Schedule listing website:www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/ElibMain/scheduleList.do and use key words such as “water efficiency” or “water reuse” for your search criteria. (7) Find specific information on GSA Water Conservation Schedule 871 210 and Facilities, Maintenance and Management Schedule 03FAC atwww.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/ElibMain/scheduleSummary.do?scheduleNumber=03FAC continued > 4 FEDERAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

plant’s treated effluent to irrigate the golf has chosen to pipe reclaimed water to course instead of withdrawing water from the NAS Jacksonville golf course and the . NAS Jacksonville agreed to install a spray field irrigation system to the proposal and implemented the proj- obtain zero discharge at the plant. The ect. The partnership between the NAS on-site golf course piping infrastructure Jacksonville and the TCC allowed this is designed and permitted by FDEP, but project’s design, permitting and building was waiting on funding to be constructed to be financed by the TCC. In exchange, as of May 2010. NAS Jacksonville supplies the reclaimed water to the TCC without cost. The reuse system began operations in 1998. Additional Resources

Richard Pilatzke The following websites have resources Figure 2. Reclaim Water at Fort Carson. The TCC receives reclaimed water from offering additional information on the plant through a gravity pipeline to a developing and implementing water that the system has been inspected. The two-acre holding pond (see Figure 3). reuse projects: plant’s capacity is rated at 3 million The two-acre holding pond on the golf Alliance for Water Efficiency: www. gallons per day and saves approximately course is permitted at 300 kgal/day to allianceforwaterefficiency.org/default. 100 million gallons annually. meet fluctuating irrigation demands. Reclaimed water not used for filling aspx – This website contains specific To get more information on Fort Carson’s the storage pond is discharged to the information on water reuse and gray water reclamation project, see the FEMP St. Johns . If at any time the reuse water in the “Resource Library” under Case Study at: www.femp.energy.gov/ parameters are not met, the plant’s “Alternate ” pdfs/water_fortcarson.pdf discharge goes to the river. American Water Works Association: Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida www.awwa.org/ – AWWA provides useful materials on water reuse in the Located south of downtown Jacksonville, website’s “Bookstore” and contact Florida, Naval Air Station (NAS) information on water reuse contractors Jacksonville was commissioned in in the website’s “Sourcebook” October 1940 and is the home base of the commander, Navy Region Southeast. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Drinking water for NAS Jacksonville Region 9: www.epa.gov/region09/water/ comes from the Floridan aquifer, which recycling – This website offers a general underlies all of Florida and parts of overview of water reuse, benefits of neighboring states. NAS Jacksonville Barnard John R. Figure 3. Holding Pond at Timuquana Country Club. reuse, and treatment options. completed an economic and feasibil- ity study of water reuse applications EPA Guidelines for Water Reuse, in renewing the domestic wastewater 2004: www.epa.gov/nrmrl/ The reuse system has been a success treatment plant’s discharge permit with pubs/625r04108/625r04108.htm – This for NAS Jacksonville and the TCC. The the Florida Department of Environmental document provided the foundation for partnership between these two parties has Protection (FDEP) in 1994. The study’s this Fact sheet, offering detailed informa- saved the TCC from pumping between results identified the wastewater treat- tion on water reuse and state by state 73 and 110 million gallons annually from ment plant as a key source for reclaimed guidance on water reuse regulations. the aquifer. Recent permits from FDEP water, which led to an investigation on require the plant to increase nitrogen how this water could be well utilized. The FEMP Water Efficiency: www.femp. removal efficiency or reduce the daily Timuquana Country Club (TCC) shares a energy.gov/program/waterefficiency.html flow from the plant into the St. Johns fence line with NAS Jacksonville’s plant, – This website provides technical and River or both in addition to continuing so the St. Johns River Water Management legislative guidance on water manage- to supply the TCC with reclaimed water. District approached NAS Jacksonville ment for Federal agencies. To meet these requirements, the Navy about working with the TCC to reuse the

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DOE/PNNL-SA-73577 • February 2011

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