COOLING TOWERS ENVIRONMENTAL MEMBRANES MICROFILTRATION REUSE REVERSE OSMOSIS ULTRAFILTRATION WASTE MINIMIZATION WASTEWATER

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Abstract

As of mid-August 2012, drought conditions plagued more than 60% of the contiguous 48 states. Almost one-quarter of the country experienced extreme to exceptional drought. This has brought the need to reduce freshwater withdrawals into sharp focus for many municipalities, and those who depend on private wells for their water supply. The demand for potable water has been steadily on the rise because of the growth of a thirsty urban population. The number of people living in urban areas is projected to increase from 2.85 billion in 2000 to 4 billion in 2020, a 40% increase. As a result, the municipal treatment plants are struggling to keep up with the demand. Increasing demand, coupled with a limited supply of fresh water is driving the growing practice of wastewater reuse. Currently, 1.7 billion gallons of wastewater are reused every day. And this practice is growing by 15% each year. Florida, California, Texas, and Arizona are the biggest reusers of treated wastewater, but other states are joining in as the demand for fresh water outstrips the available supply.

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