Water > Project Case Study

Send by emailPrint page

Water Treatment Facility Upgrade

First New England Installation of MIEX Ion Exchange Treatment Process

 After repeated attempts to identify an adequate source of groundwater to replace the primary supply, Nokomis Pond, Newport Water District retained Wright-Pierce to explore surface water treatment options for Stage I D/DBP rule compliance. The facility is a small treatment system by regulatory standards, and the existing slow sand filtration method of treatment was an attractive low cost method that the District was reluctant to abandon.

Wright-Pierce pilot tested numerous traditional and alternative natural organic matter (NOM) treatment processes before recommending the MIEX® (Magnetic Ion Exchange) process.

The MIEX process is a pretreatment system that supplements the existing slow sand filtration to minimize formation of DBPs by a unique continuous ion exchange process. In addition to reducing water contaminants, this process produces significantly less waste residuals which is critical because the restricted site could not accommodate waste storage, and waste hauling costs were prohibitive.

The MIEX process improves water color and requires less use of chemicals for disinfection. The upgrade design successfully integrated the new treatment process into the plant's existing hydraulic profile avoiding incurrence of additional energy costs for pumping. Efficient small motors and EPA Energy Star lighting are other cost saving design features.

Wright-Pierce provided preliminary design and planning, permitting, regulatory support, preparation of plans and specifications for construction, construction administration, inspection and start-up assistance.

 

                  

Project at a Glance

           Recipient of
Grand Conceptor Award
 for Innovative Solution
      from ACEC Maine

Background

  • Surface water supply had fluctuating NOM levels
  • Slow sand filtration treatment constructed in 1994
  • Under Administrative Consent Order by Maine DWP for Stage 1 D/DBP non-compliance

Challenges

  • Disinfection byproduct (DBP) monitoring documented elevated Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acids in the distribution system
  • Slow sand filtration treatment incapable of sufficient DBP precursors removal
  • Constrained site limited options for waste handling and disposal

Solution

  • MIEX® Ion Exchange Treatment Process – First installation in New England
  • Unique continuous ion exchange process
  • Supplements existing slow sand filtration process
  • Significant reduction of DBP formation
  • Less waste residuals
  • Integration with existing hydraulic profile for reduced energy costs