PROJECT NO. 4790 Improving Water Reuse for a Healthier Potomac Watershed Improving Water Reuse for a Healthier Potomac Watershed Prepared by: Sujay Kaushal Shuiwang Duan University of Maryland College Park Erik Rosenfeldt Hazen and Sawyer Amelia Flanery Adil Godrej Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Luke Iwanowicz United States Geological Survey Diana Aga University at Buffalo, The State University of New York 2020 The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is a nonprofit (501c3) organization which provides a unified source for One Water research and a strong presence in relationships with partner organizations, government and regulatory agencies, and Congress. The foundation conducts research in all areas of drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and water reuse. The Water Research Foundation’s research portfolio is valued at over $700 million. The Foundation plays an important role in the translation and dissemination of applied research, technology demonstration, and education, through creation of research‐based educational tools and technology exchange opportunities. WRF serves as a leader and model for collaboration across the water industry and its materials are used to inform policymakers and the public on the science, economic value, and environmental benefits of using and recovering resources found in water, as well as the feasibility of implementing new technologies. For more information, contact: The Water Research Foundation 1199 North Fairfax Street, Suite 900 6666 West Quincy Avenue Alexandria, VA 22314‐1445 Denver, Colorado 80235‐3098 www.waterrf.org P 571.384.2100 P 303.347.6100 [email protected] ©Copyright 2020 by The Water Research Foundation. All rights reserved. Permission to copy must be obtained from The Water Research Foundation. WRF ISBN: 987‐1‐60573‐508‐5 WRF Project Number: 4790 This report was prepared by the organization(s) named below as an account of work sponsored by The Water Research Foundation. Neither The Water Research Foundation, members of The Water Research Foundation, the organization(s) named below, nor any person acting on their behalf: (a) makes any warranty, express or implied, with respect to the use of any information, apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report or that such use may not infringe on privately owned rights; or (b) assumes any liabilities with respect to the use of, or for damages resulting from the use of, any information, apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report. University of Maryland College Park, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Hazen and Sawyer This publication was developed under Assistance Agreement No. 83582501 awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It has not been formally reviewed by EPA. The views expressed in this document are solely those of the grantees and do not necessarily reflect those of the Agency. EPA does not endorse any products or commercial services mentioned in this publication. This document was reviewed by a panel of independent experts selected by The Water Research Foundation. Mention of trade names or commercial products or services does not constitute endorsement or recommendations for use. Similarly, omission of products or trade names indicates nothing concerning The Water Research Foundation's or EPA’s positions regarding product effectiveness or applicability. ii The Water Research Foundation Acknowledgments Research Team Principal Investigators: Sujay Kaushal, Ph.D. Shuiwang Duan, Ph.D. University of Maryland College Park Project Team: Erik Rosenfeldt, Ph.D., P.E. (Project Team Lead) Paul Knowles, Ph.D., P.E., ENV SP, LEED GA Hazen and Sawyer Diana S. Aga, Ph.D. Ping He, Ph.D. University at Buffalo, The State University of New York Amelia Flanery, M.S. Adil Godrej, Ph.D., P.E. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Luke Iwanowicz, Ph.D. United States Geological Survey Sudhir Murthy, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE DC Water and Sewer Authority We would also like to acknowledge these additional stakeholders that supported the research team and PAC members during the October 2 Workshop. Lisa Ragain, MWCOG Justin Mattingly, PMP, U.S. EPA (Formerly WRF) Ann Spiesman, P.E., Washington Aqueduct Pam Kenel, P.E., Loudoun Water Greg Prelewicz, P.E., Fairfax Water Matt Ries, Ph.D., P.E., DC Water WRF Project Subcommittee or Other Contributors Susan T. Glassmeyer, Ph.D. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Bob Angelotti, P.E. Upper Occoquan Service Authority (UOSA) Leita S. Bennett, P.E. GHD Steven Bieber Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) Water Research Foundation Staff John Albert, MPA Chief Research Officer Lola Olabode, MPH Research Program Manager Improving Water Reuse for a Healthier Potomac Watershed iii Abstract and Benefits Abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine the ecological and human health benefits associated with improving reuse in the Potomac River Watershed. To address this objective, extensive sampling campaigns were performed to 1) assess presence and sources of conventional (i.e., nutrients) and emerging (i.e., endocrine disrupting compounds, pesticides) pollutants into the River, and 2) define potential benefits from pollution management strategies in four sectors: agriculture BMPs, urban stormwater BMPs, enhanced nutrient reduction at water reclamation facilities, and advanced water treatment for potable reuse. The results of the study indicated that agricultural inputs of pollutants accounted for the greatest share of the sectors, and that nutrient management strategies were effective in co-managing many CECs (constituents of emerging concern). Additionally, Urban stormwater management strategies were less effective for nutrient control (particularly nitrogen), and CEC control. Water reclamation and reuse strategies were both effective for nutrient reduction, and reuse was particularly effective at controlling CECs, however their input of these pollutants into the Potomac was significantly smaller than agriculture and urban stormwater inputs. Finally, a multi-criteria decision analysis framework was utilized to assess relative effectiveness of the four strategies for cost effectively and equitably improving ecological and human health in the environment. The results of the assessment indicate agriculture runoff management strategies were the most impactful and least costly of the four alternatives. Most recently, members of our team have developed a method using suspect screening analysis (SSA) that relies on accurate mass measurements and mass spectral fragmentation patterns obtained using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry to achieve a wide-scope detection of micropollutants. A total of 103 micropollutants were detected in the samples, many of which were not previously monitored in the original target analysis method; 23 of these additional compounds have detection frequency of at least 50%. These compounds belong to various classes such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), and various pesticide and their metabolites. In the future, further work is necessary to investigate these complex mixtures of micropollutants and the impacts of management on their concentrations and loads. Overall, our work demonstrates the potential for co- managing multiple pollutants in surface waters through an improved and integrated understanding of targeting shared sources, transport, and transformation of multiple contaminants in the environment. Benefits: • Presents a comprehensive dataset of conventional and emerging pollutant concentrations throughout the Potomac Watershed, with over 45 locations along the Potomac and major tributaries sampled quarterly in 2017 to assess “hotspots”, “hot-moments” and land-use correlations with pollutant loads, and another 17 locations monitored monthly in 2018 to assess impacts of sector-specific BMPs on load reduction. • Provides an estimate of relative loading of point and non-point sources to the Potomac Watershed, describing a larger contribution of nutrients and CECs from agricultural practices when compared to the flow contribution to the Watershed. • Demonstrates the effectiveness of sector-specific BMPs for nutrient and CEC co-management. • Multi-criteria decision analysis performed to evaluate four nutrient and CEC co-management strategies indicates that implementation of agricultural BMPs was the most cost-effective and equitable strategy for improving ecological and human health in the Potomac. Keywords: Nutrient management, constituents of emerging concern, Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay, multi-criteria decision analysis, best management practices. iv The Water Research Foundation Contents Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................................................ iii Abstract and Benefits ................................................................................................................................... iv Tables .......................................................................................................................................................... viii Figures ........................................................................................................................................................... ix Acronyms and Abbreviations ......................................................................................................................