Less is More: Using an Integrated CT Approach to Optimize the Chlorination System for Miami-Dade

In the face of aging infrastructure, tight capital improvement budgets, and more stringent regulatory requirements to protect public health and the environment, many utilities across the country continually try to do more with less. Utilities are looking for ways to optimize their treatment processes, including disinfection, to stretch limited funds available to address these competing demands. According to the disinfection survey conducted by the WEF Disinfection and Public Health committee in 2017, 58% of respondents disinfect with chlorine. One method to optimize chlorination processes, and possibly defer, reduce, or eliminate capital improvements and reduce operations cost, is to utilize an ICT approach to control chlorine addition. Miami-Dade WASD completed a bench-scale study at their SDWWTP in an effort to determine whether additional chlorine solution storage tanks were required. They found that by optimizing the chlorine dose, they can delay constructing additional storage tank capacity, and reduce annual O&M costs.