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The differences between the unit processes of The four major types of residuals produced from
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the five plant types listed above characterize water treatment processes are:
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the type of residuals generated at a given
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• Sludges (i.e., water that contains suspended
facility. In the current regulatory climate, a
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solids from the source water and the reaction
complete management program for a water ○
produce sludge.
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• Characterize form, quantity, and quality • Concentrate (brines) from ion exchange
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• Identify feasible disposal options; • Ion exchange resins, spent granular activated
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• Select appropriate residuals processing/ carbon (GAC), and spent filter media (includ-
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that meets both the economic and noneco- • Air emissions (off-gases from air stripping,
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nomic goals established for a water odor control units, or ozone destruction).
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treatment facility.
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Water treatment plant residuals form when streams often impose the ultimate disposal
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suspended solids in the raw water react with options. Furthermore, it is reasonable to expect
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chemicals (e.g., coagulants) added in the that as drinking water quality is increasingly
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control chemicals (e.g., lime). Some potable contaminants will be required. To achieve these
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that are relatively easy to process and dispose (WTPs) will need to use more sophisticated
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bottles, and other large floating debris separated are cases in which residuals are characterized
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can be disposed of at conventional solid waste Depending on the raw water quality and treat-
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cesses produce more complex residual waste radioactive characteristics could be exhibited
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OF FOUR
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streams that may require advanced processing in potentially any residual waste stream
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Coagulation/Filtration
Typical Residual
Waste Streams Typical Contaminant Typical Disposal Regulation Covering
Generated Categories Methods Disposal Method
Precipitative Softening
Calcium carbonate and Metals, suspended solids Landfilling RCRA/CERCLA, state and
magnesium hydroxide organics, unreacted lime, local regulations
sludge with raw water radionuclides
suspended solids and Disposal to sanitary State and local regulations
natural organic matter sewer/WWTP
Membrane Separation
Reject streams Metals, radionuclides, Surface discharge RCRA, NPDES, state and
containing raw water TDS, high molecular (pumping, etc.) local regulations
suspended solids weight contaminants,
(microfiltration), nitrates Deep well injection RCRA, NPDES, state and
raw water local regulations
natural organics
(nanofiltration), and Discharge to sanitary State and local
brine (hyperfiltration, sewer/WWTP regulations
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RO)
Radioactive storage RCRA, DOT, DOE
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Brine stream Metals, TDS, hardness Surface discharge RCRA, NPDES, state and
nitrates local regulations
Gas phase emissions VOCs, SOCs, radon Discharge to State and local air quality
atmosphere GAC regulations (CAA)
adsorption of off-gas
(contaminant type
and concentration
dependent)
Spent GAC if used for VOCs, SOCs GAC adsorption of State and local air quality
gas-phase control radionuclides off-gas (contaminant regulations (CAA)
type and concentration
dependent)
Return spent to GAC
to supplier
Key
CAA=Clean Air Act NPDES=National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
CWA=Clean Water Act RCRA=Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
CERCLA=Comprehensive Environmental RO=Reverse Osmosis
Response, Compensation and Liability Act SOC=Synthetic Organic Chemical
DOE=Department of Energy TDS=Total Dissolved Solids
DOH=Department of Health VOC=Volatile Organic Compound
DOT=Department of Transportation WWTP=Wastewater Treatment Plant
GAC=Granular Activated Carbon
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Figure 1 illustrates the need for practical disposal
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management of water treatment options and treatment processes that will take
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plant residuals?
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into account economic and noneconomic factors of
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Identifying the regulations that affect various concerns to the community. The technical criteria
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management practices may be difficult for water used to select the final management plan differ
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treatment utility managers. The difficulty is due from user to user; economic, cultural, social, and
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to the many different types of wastes produced
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environmental factors are also site-specific, and
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by WTPs and various types of waste disposal: are typically included in any final selection.
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direct discharge, discharge to wastewater
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treatment plants, disposal in landfills, land Where can I find more
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application, underground injection, disposal of
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information?
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radioactive waste, and treatment of air emissions. Information in this fact sheet was primarily
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At the federal level, the U.S. Environmental obtained from:
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Protection Agency (EPA) has not established (1) Management of Water Treatment Plant Residuals.
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any regulations that are specifically directed at
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American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Manuals
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WTP residuals. Applicable regulations are those and Reports on Engineering Practice No. 88, American
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associated with the Clean Water Act (CWA);
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Water Works Association (AWWA) Technology Transfer
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Criteria for Classification of Solid Waste Disposal Handbook, and U.S. EPA 625/R-95/008.
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Facilities and Practices (40 CFR, Part 257); the
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CWA limits direct discharges into a water course (3) Robinson, M.P., and J.B. Wiko. 1991. “Overview of
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of use and/or disposal of wastes. Most states Plant Waste Management Programs.” 1991 Annual
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ing regulations that will meet the requirements Decade, Philadelphia, PA. June 23–27. [This book is
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residuals characteristics and associated regula- Additional copies of Tech Brief fact sheets are
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tory requirements. A focus on available disposal free; however, postal charges are added to orders.
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options further narrows the management To order, call the NDWC at (800) 624-8301 or
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Type of Water Treatment Plant Briefs from our Web site at http://www.ndwc.
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Residual Characteristics
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Products section.
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Regulatory Requirements
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Treatment Options
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• Social/Cultural
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• Environmental
item #DWBLPE56;
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• Economic
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Figure 1
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