AWWA MTC69657

The rejection of emerging organic micropollutants is an important issue where recycled water is used to augment drinking water supplies. The focus of this research study was to explore alternatives of an integrated membrane system involving nanofiltration (NF) and ultra-low pressure reverse osmosis (ULPRO) in place of conventional reverse osmosis (RO) representing a more cost-effective system because of potentially lower pressure requirements and the greater selectivity for organic micropollutants as compared to removal of total dissolved solids (TDS). Uncertainty regarding the rejection of certain solutes, justifies the development of modeling approaches to predict the removal of contaminants by RO and NF. A successful predictive model would eliminate the need for pilot-scale evaluation of trace organic contaminant removal, and eliminate uncertainty regarding permeate water quality.