The pilot study currently underway at the Chickasaw Waste Water Treatment Plant for the City’s water reuse system continues, though no part of the study involves reused water being distributed to Bartlesville water customers anytime soon, Water Utilities Terry Lauritsen said recently.
“This is an in-house study that is being conducted solely within the Waste Water Treatment Plant,” Lauritsen said. “Reused water is not being distributed outside the plant. That is several years from occurring and would only happen in an emergency situation and with prior notice to the public.”
The water reuse system is designed to be used in emergency situations, such as Stage 4 drought conditions. The system involves pumping treated waste water upstream into the Caney River, allowing it to blend with river water, and then recapturing it for additional treatment before being distributed to customers.
“Once the system has cleared regulatory hurdles and is ready to use, which will not be for several years, this treated water will be used as an emergency source to supplement the water within the river in the event of a water crisis,” Lauritsen said.
Lauritsen said the study involves several facets of the process.
“We are running through various scenarios, looking at different chemicals and filter configurations,” he said. “We’re taking a lot of tests to validate or to see how those perform, not only with the standard treatment parameters or chemical constituents that you monitor, but we’re also testing for the trace elements that are not regulated, or the so-called ‘contaminants of emerging concern.’
Lauritsen said consultants are about a month into the pilot study and will continue into May or early June with the process.
“We’ve gotten a lot of good data so far,” he said. “We’ve been able to narrow down some of the treatment chemicals based on the performance to date. We will continue to refine that, and then we will publicize all of that information in June or July.”
Lauritsen said results of the study will be remitted to State regulatory bodies as part of the permitting process.
“We have an abundance of data, and so far it’s been performing as we have anticipated,” he said.
Lauritsen said anyone interested in taking a tour of the Waste Water Treatment Plant is welcome.
“This is your facility,” he said. “Please feel free to call ahead and we will coordinate tours through my office.”
For more information or to schedule a tour, call 918.338.4116.