Westlock County
Faucett RO Membrane Integration

Project Description

The Hamlet of Fawcett has a greensand filter water treatment plant that operates under Alberta Environment’s Code of Practice (COP) for High Quality Groundwater. Although considered high quality groundwater, the facility was struggling to meet the requirements of the COP and was operating out of compliance.

The water treatment plant was lacking the ability to provide CT disinfection for 4.0-log reduction of viruses. Although sodium hypochlorite was used at the facility, CT disinfection was not achieved due to high levels of ammonia in the source water. Ammonia reacts with chlorine in the water to create a total chlorine residual which is less effective at deactivating viruses in the water. In addition to the AEP compliance issues, the community of Fawcett struggled with aesthetic objectives at the WTP, which resulted in many complaints.

M2 Engineering was commissioned by Westlock County to coordinate installation of the RO equipment and to complete piloting of the equipment prior to it being brought online. The objective of the pilot was to confirm the operating parameters and water quality of the RO system. The pilot program and bench scale testing helped establish the appropriate blend ratio of RO permeate and filtered water.

Project Challenges

The RO pilot program was successful and concluded the following:

• RO effectively improves the aesthetic objectives of the Fawcett drinking water

• RO system helps reduce ammonia levels in water

• RO system can assist in meeting CT requirements of the COP through breakpoint chlorination or UV disinfection

• RO permeate water can be stabilized by blending with greensand filter effluent water

Photos