Manuscript – Loudoun Water: Planning for an Evolving Future

The Broad Run Water Reclamation Facility (BRWRF), owned and operated by Loudoun Water, is an 11 mgd advanced treatment facility that employs a 5-stage biological nutrient removal process followed by membrane filtration and granular activated carbon (GAC) to meet very strict effluent limits (COD of 10 mg/L, TKN of 1 mg/L, TN of 4 mg/L and TP of 0.1 mg/L at 11 mgd). By 2014, the BRWRF was operating at approximately 50% and 75% of the of the installed liquid and solids design capacities, respectively. Loudoun Water commissioned a master plan to ensure that decisions made regarding expansion and implementation of new technologies at the BRWRF would be compatible with the long-term future of the facility. This work documents the innovative master planning process utilized and provides insights into flexible implementation strategies that can be used to position utilities for compliance and fiscal stewardship in an ever evolving regulatory and technological environment. This work also documents the benefits to Loudoun Water in implementing the innovative master planning approach.