Evaluation of Membrane Processes for Reducing Total Dissolved Solids Discharged to the Truckee River

Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility TMWRF is a 150,000 m3/day 40 mgd tertiary wastewater treatment facility that serves the cities of Reno and Sparks, Nev. The effluent from TMWRF is discharged into the Truckee River which flows to Pyramid Lake—a very sensitive ecosystem and habitat for endangered species. Reverse osmosis RO and nanofiltration NF , in conjunction with ultrafiltration UF pretreatment, were evaluated for total dissolved solids TDS and nutrient removal from the effluent of TMWRF at bench and pilot scale. Results from short-term pilot-scale tests showed that RO and NF membrane processes can successfully remove both TDS and nutrients from the effluent when paired with coagulation-enhanced UF pretreatment. NF membranes were able to achieve the necessary removal while maintaining higher fluxes and lower specific power consumption. DOI: 10.1061/ ASCE 0733-9372 2007 133:12 1136 CE Database subject headings: Water reclamation; Wastewater treatment; Salinity; Membranes; Filtration; Fouling.