Industries Reduce Water Withdrawal and WRF Achieves 100% Beneficial Reuse

In 2004, the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority's 20 mgd Main Street WWTP was damaged by flood waters and storm surge associated with Hurricane Ivan. The ECUA opted to construct a replacement 22.5 mgd water reclamation facility at a site removed from the coastal floodplain, with the goal of incorporating 100% reuse of the reclaimed water. The existing MSWWTP currently disposes of its effluent through a direct surface water discharge. The site of the replacement facility, which is designed and being constructed to achieve advanced wastewater treatment standards with high-level disinfection, is in close proximity to two major industrial facilities. The ECUA engaged the owners of two industrial facilities, a power generating plant and a paper mill, in a dialogue to develop reuse programs at their respective sites. Following detailed analyses and discussions, the ECUA entered into separate agreements to provide reclaimed water to the two industries. The new reclaimed water facility is scheduled to come online at the end of August 2009, and provide reclaimed water to the two industries, thereby achieving 100% beneficial reuse.