Evaluation of conventional and membrane processes for softening a North Carolina groundwater

Seven alternatives were evaluated to determine the most effective water supply strategy for the United Stares Marine Corp Air Station at the New River Water Treatment Plant, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to ensure adequate flow, pressure and quality of potable water. It was determined that the No Action alternative was not acceptable due to plant deficiencies that have caused regulatory compliance violations. In addition, future regulations, particularly those associated with disinfection by-products, indicate that a change in treatment strategy should be made. Two upgrade alternatives and three new facility options were considered to allow reliable compliance with current and future regulatory requirements and produce 3.5 million gallons per day (mgd). All of the new construction options would provide water with a reliable and consistent water quality. To allow alternative costs to be evaluated concurrently with intangible criteria such as reliability and staffing requirements, a system was developed for rating the costs on a scale of I to 10. The capital and operational costs for each option were normalized and comparisons made. This paper will review the evaluated treatment options and the methodology used to select the most cost effective option.