Advanced Oxidation Processes to Reduce Exposure to Pathogens and Contaminants in Reclaimed Water at a Transit Car Wash Facility

ABSTRACT The goal of this project was to perform a review of a car wash facility operation with a goal to characterize reclaimed water quality and add a disinfectant barrier to the reclaimed water system to eliminate exposure to pathogens. A comprehensive water quality characterization of the effluent from the reclaimed water tanks either to the brushes or blaster arch revealed that it was of very poor quality and was representative of high-strength wastewater. The use of hydrogen peroxide in combination with UV has the added benefit of the advanced oxidation process (AOP). AOP provides the multiple objectives of primary disinfection of Cryptosporidium, Giardia, bacteria, and viruses; and general control of organics and other contaminants by oxidation. The recommended system i.e. hydrogen peroxide in conjunction with GAC-RO-UV will provide excellent contaminant removal and pathogen inactivation at this facility. It would minimize potential for occupational exposure to pathogens in the recycled water.