TRANSFORMING MUNICIPAL EFFLUENT INTO HIGH QUALITY WATER
FOR INDUSTRY AT CANADA’S LARGEST
MEMBRANE BASED WATER REUSE FACILITY
Richard Watson, M.Eng., P.Eng.
Associated Engineering
200, 708 – 11 Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta T3B 5M2
Abdul Mohammed M.Sc., P.Eng, City of Edmonton
Giorgio Grappolini P.Eng, Petro-Canada
Chris Ward P.Eng, City of Edmonton
Lakshaman Samarasinghe M.Sc., P.Eng, City of Edmonton
Pat Given M.Sc., P.Eng, Associated Engineering
ABSTRACT
There is increasing demand for water in the Edmonton region as industry grows. With this
growth, there is an increasing concern for water quantity and quality in the North Saskatchewan
River. Alberta Environment is balancing water allocation with the need for responsible
watershed protection. However, existing industries in the area including several petroleum
refineries are facing increased water needs due to processing changes required by new
regulations. The City of Edmonton is leading the way with solutions to some of these issues by
making high quality water available from the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
In December 2005, Canada's largest membrane-based water reuse facility was ready to deliver
water to its first industrial complex, the Air Products Hydrogen Plant feeding the Petro-Canada
Refinery. The project is being phased with an initial water production capacity of 5 ML/d. The
capacity will then be increased to provide up to 20 ML/d by 2008. Ultimately, the facility will
be capable of producing up to 40 ML/d.
This paper describes the process that the City of Edmonton followed to develop a market for
high quality reclaimed water and the subsequent needs definition, technology selection, facilities
location and project execution. This process included piloting a membrane facility, a feasibility
study, selecting a membrane technology, understanding design constraints and overcoming
construction logistics. The arrangement called for the City to design, build, and operate the water
reuse facility and for Petro-Canada to design and build a pipeline to deliver this water to its
refinery. The total project was funded by Petro-Canada.
KEY WORDS
Industrial Water Reuse, Membranes, RO Feedwater, Reclaimed Water, Private Public
Partnerships, Silt Density Index, Life Cycle Cost Evaluation.
6087
WEFTEC®.06
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