Direct potable reuse using full advanced treatment versus ozone biofiltration: A cost comparison

Abstract

Abstract The cost of direct potable reuse (DPR) using reverse osmosis (RO) and full advanced treatment (FAT) based on advanced oxidation process was compared with a non‐RO‐based treatment train with ozone and biologically active filtration (BAF). Costs were calculated assuming a blend of 15% advanced treated water with the current potable water supply, Lake Lanier. The 30‐year amortized capital and operational costs were US$4,830/mil gal for FAT and $1,900/mil gal for ozone‐BAF. The primary additional cost associated with FAT was due to the mechanical evaporation of RO brine concentrate disposal. The costs for producing water using FAT integrating a vibratory shear‐enhanced processing‐RO (VSEP‐RO) to further concentrate the RO brine were lower than those for mechanical evaporation alone ($3,510/mil gal). While VSEP‐RO improved overall costs, ozone‐BAF‐based treatment was less than half the cost of FAT. Thus, ozone‐BAF may provide a more economical alternative compared with FAT for inland facilities considering DPR.