Water Reuse

Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality

Water Quality Division

Water ReuseHistory of Water Reuse Standards

• In 2010, representatives from a number of Oklahoma municipalities, through the Oklahoma Municipal League, expressed interest in using reclaimed water as a way to help conserve water due to the extreme drought that Oklahoma was experiencing

• These representatives met with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and a workgroup was formed with members from DEQ, various municipalities, technical experts from engineering firms, and members of the public

Water ReuseHistory of Water Reuse Standards

• A review of other states’ water reuse regulations and implementation methods along with input from our workgroup and technical experts helped DEQ create water reuse regulations that fit the State of Oklahoma.

• Water reuse regulations became effective July 1, 2012 and can be found online at www.deq.state.ok.us/mainlinks/deqrules.htm

• OAC 252:656-27 Wastewater Reuse (Construction Standards)• Also updated 656-3-4 for Engineer’s Reports for Water Reuse

OAC 252:627 Water Reuse (Operations Standards)

Water ReuseCategories of Reclaimed Water

Category Treatment Reuses

1 Reserved (for direct and indirect potable reuse)

2 Secondary Treatment(nutrient removal, coagulation, filtration and disinfection)

Drip irrigation on orchards & vineyards; spray or drip on sod farms, public landscapes, golf courses, and toilets, fire protection, vehicle washing, and range cattle watering

3 Secondary Treatment(nutrient removal and disinfection)

Subsurface irrigation of orchards or vineyards; restricted access landscapes; livestock pasture, concrete mixing, dust control, restricted golf course irrigation

4 Primary Lagoon Treatment (disinfection and storage detention)

Soil compaction, similar construction activities, and restricted access golf course irrigation

5 Primary Lagoon Treatment and Lagoon Storage

Restricted access pasture irrigation for range cattle, fiber, seed, forage, silviculture

6 Wastewater treatment plant use only

Water ReuseA Regulatory Perspective

• Wastewater to be reclaimed was divided into five categories (2, 3, 4, 5, & 6) for non-potable use, with each category having specific treatment, reuses, testing frequencies, limits, and monthly reporting requirements.

• Category 1 was reserved for potable reuse.

• “Direct Potable Reuse” to be classified as 1(a). • “Indirect Potable Reuse” to surface waters to be classified

as1(b). • “Indirect Potable Reuse” to groundwater to be classified

as1(c).

Water ReuseSenate Bill 1043

• Governor Fallin signed SB1043 on April 16, 2012.

• Requirements:• DEQ shall convene a working group by August 31, 2012, to

explore opportunities for water reuse.• The working group shall also define a process for variances

from the construction and operation standards related to water reuse.

• These requirements have been met.

Water Reuse Subcommittees

• Technology (new processes)

• Water Quality Standards

• Oil and Gas

Water Quality Standards and Technology Subcommittees

• Priorities FY 2016

• Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) – Water Quality Standards

ISSUE: The Sensitive Water Supply (SWS) lakes are provided additional protection in the Oklahoma Water Quality Standards, with a prohibition of no new loading or new point source discharges, unless the “discharge will result in maintaining or improving the water quality of both the direct receiving water and any downstream waterbodies designated SWS” [OAC 785:45-5-25(c)(4)(B)]

• Path forward on indirect potable reuse (IPR) for SWS lakes to allow for augmentation by reclaimed water through Water Quality Standard changes

• A method to change the classification of SWS lakes to SWS-R lakes is being proposed

• This change to Water Quality Standards has to go through the Rulemaking Process

Water Quality Standards Proposed Change

• Water classified “SWS-R” are:

• “those waters of the state which constitute sensitive public and private water supplies that may be augmented with reclaimed water for the purpose of indirect potable reuse.”

IPR Implementation Schedule

• January to August 2016 – Drafting of SWS-R and IPR implementation rules

• October 2016 - Present draft rules to Council• November 2016 - Informal public meetings SWS-R and IPR• December 2016 - Formal Public Notice• January 2017 - Water Quality Management Advisory Council

(WQMAC) recommends approval to DEQ Board• February 2017- DEQ Board approval• Spring 2017- Legislative/Governor ‘s review and approval• Fall 2017- Final Rule adoption

DPR and IPR to Groundwater

• Priorities for Rule making• DPR following IPR• IPR to Groundwater following DPR

• Water Quality Standards change necessary since Groundwater Standards prohibit degradation (similar to SWS)

• DPR projects will be considered on a case by case basis in the interim

Guidance Documents for FY 2016

• Membrane Bioreactors (MBR)

• Peracetic Acid Disinfection (PAA)

• Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP)

• CT for Chlorine for Category 2 Reuse

• Biologically Active Filtration (BAF)

• Non-potable water uses onsite of Wastewater Treatment Plant