1. Northern Nevada Water Planning Commission Regional Effluent Management Team
April 6, 2016

2. Regional Effluent Management Team
Joe Coudriet, City of Reno
Michael Drinkwater, Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility
John Enloe, Truckee Meadows Water Authority
Andy Hummel, City of Sparks
Dave Kershaw, City of Reno
Kerri Lanza, City of Reno
Lydia Peri, Washoe County
Jim Smitherman, Northern Nevada Water Planning Commission
Rick Warner, Washoe County

3. I. Regional Effluent Management Team Purpose
Growth readiness
TMWRF nitrogen upset in 2013
Alternatives
Rapid infiltration basin
TMWRF/STMWRF Inter-connect pipeline
Effluent use proposed outside of TMSA
Evaluate Indirect Potable Reuse option development
Analyze effluent management alternatives
Analyze water balance and water rights implications
Develop strategy recommendations
Develop and recommend framework for regional masterplan
Jim

4. II. TMWRF RIB Evaluation
Investigating area near Golden Eagle Regional Park, Spanish Springs Valley
Potential impact to sage grouse habitat
Pending BLM decision regarding sage grouse habitat
MICHAEL

5. III. STMWRF Effluent Master Plan Update
Completed 20 year update with CH2M
Findings:
10 year projection shows good balance of influent flows and reuse demands
Adequate storage capacity
Demands: 1,400 AF landscape; 1,000 AF golf courses
No significant driver for pipeline from STMWRF perspective, but benefits include:
Provide service to larger users (ORMAT)
Mitigate ongoing Huffaker Reservoir boron and algae concerns
Operational flexibility
LYDIA

6. IV. Water Rights Constraints & Strategies
Initial task of confirming availability (4,000 ac-ft) to TRIC
TROA and resource availability implications
Groundwater pumping variability
TROA 1.E.4
Surface water opportunities
Operational constraints
Groundwater not required to be delivered to the river / TROA 1.E.4 “street rights” to allow utilization of groundwater component
TMWA currently pumping 2,000 (normal) to 4,000 (drought) that makes it to TMWRF
Operationally, effluent must be offset to keep river “whole”, impacts use of rights
- Store & release?
- Use effluent during typical irrigation season without storage?

7. V. Water Balance Evaluation Water Reclamation Facilities
Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (TMWRF)
TMWRF Reno effluent reuse distribution system
UNR Farms
Hidden Valley
golf course
Rosewood
Mira Loma Park
TMWRF
TMWRF Sparks effluent reuse distribution system
100% of TMWRF effluent discharges to River or is reused

8. V. Water Balance Evaluation Water Reclamation Facilities
South Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility
(STMWRF)
S. Valleys
Regional Park
Damonte
Ranch
Damonte Ranch HS
Huffaker Reservoir
Bishop Manogue HS
Double Diamond
Arrowcreek
Wolf Run
Golf Course
100% effluent reuse
Huffaker Reservoir
STMWRF effluent reuse distribution system

9. V. Water Balance Evaluation
One Modeling Scenario
TMWRF-STMWRF intertie:
Provide operational flexibility for RSW reclaimed water systems
Improve compliance with NPDES Permit requirements
total nitrogen [TN], total phosphorus [TP], total dissolved solids [TDS]
Allow TMWRF to store treated effluent
Maximize use of treated effluent not subject to return flow requirements (GW component)
Increase STMWRF and TMWRF effluent disposal opportunities
Reduce discharge of effluent to the Truckee River
Improve water quality in Truckee River and Huffaker Reservoir

10. Can RSW provide effluent ?
Tahoe Reno Industrial Center
Switch SUPERNAP Data Center
Alternative Scenario
Can RSW provide effluent ?

11. Spatial Conceptual Model
V. Water Balance Evaluation Proposed Effluent Network
TRIC
Spatial Conceptual Model
River
County
Reuse
TRIC
Reservoir
Huffaker
Reservoir
(TMWRF
water)
Huffaker
Reservoir
(STMWRF
water)
TMWRF
STMWRF
UNR Farms
Sparks
Reuse
Rosewood
Mira
Loma

12. V. Water Balance Evaluation Linear Programming
A linear program is an optimization problem for which we attempt to maximize (or minimize) a linear function (the objective function) of a set of decision variables such that the values of the decision variables satisfy a set of constraints in the form of linear equations or inequalities
Objective function:
Decision variables:
feasible region
Constraints (inequalities)

13. V. Water Balance Evaluation
Model: For a given year, optimize weekly effluent distribution from TMWRF and STMWRF
Objective function: minimize annual nitrate load to the Truckee River
Variables: (1,352): on/off variable and flow volume for each source and possible delivery location
Constraints:
All effluent from TMWRF and STMWRF must go somewhere
County, Reno, and Sparks weekly demands are met exactly
Reservoir level starts and ends at its low point on October 1
Reservoir volume cannot exceed capacity
Summer month nutrient loads to Truckee River are below regulatory limits
Annual nitrogen loads to Truckee River are below regulatory limits
6,700 AF/Y effluent delivery from TMWRF
Flow cannot exceed pipe capacity
Water cannot flow in two directions in a segment of pipe in a given week

14. V. Water Balance Evaluation
Model: For a given year, optimize weekly effluent distribution from TMWRF and STMWRF
Weekly Data:
TMWRF and STMWRF weekly effluent volume (2014, 2024, 2034)
Reno, Sparks and Washoe County effluent demands (2014, 2024, 2034)
TRIC projected demands
TMWRF effluent N concentrations (normal and upset conditions)
TMWA SW:GW ratios (normal and drought conditions)
Pipe size/capacity
Reservoir volume/surface area
Average precipitation
Average evaporation

15. V. Water Balance Evaluation Output – Effluent to TRIC
 2014 Scenario
Model Result
Max Annual TRIC (AF)
4000.0
TMWRF Annual Effluent (AF)
8586.6
TMWRF to reservoir (AF)
1893.6
STMWRF Water to Sp/TRIC/UNR (AF) or surplus
447.7
Avg N load (ppd)
364.3
Apr N load (ppd)
335.4
May N load (ppd)
451.6
June N load (ppd)
433.1
July N load (ppd)
371.7
August N load (ppd)
427.5
September N load (ppd)
352.0
October N load (ppd)
273.0
Avg N load (ppd)
364
Model Result
Limit
Max AnnualTRIC (AF)
4000.0
10000
TMWRF Annual Effluent (AF)
8586.6
TMWRF to reservoir (AF)
1988.4
STMWRF Water to Sp/TRIC/UNR (AF) or surplus
447.7
Avg N load (ppd)
379.7
500
Apr N load (ppd)
384.6
May N load (ppd)
388.7
June N load (ppd)
381.0
July N load (ppd)
436.4
August N load (ppd)
403.2
September N load (ppd)
342.5
October N load (ppd)
275.8

16. V. Water Balance Evaluation Output – Effluent to TRIC

17. V. Water Balance Evaluation Status and Current Work
Intertie pipeline in Phase I
Feasibility of TRIC deliveries for various build-out scenarios
Tracking TMWA GW/SW distribution in river and reuse
TROA and resource availability implications
Groundwater pumping variability
Surface water opportunities

18. VI. Indirect Potable Reuse Development Update
Objective: Determine if Indirect Potable Reuse (IPR) is a viable water management strategy for this community - developed through a feasibility study conducted over the next 5 years.
RICK

19. What is Potable Reuse? Indirect Potable Reuse Direct Potable Reuse
Tertiary treated reclaimed water infiltrating into the groundwater, and following several months or years of soil-aquifer-treatment, the water is recovered as drinking water or
Advanced treated reclaimed water injected into aquifer for recovery as drinking water.
Environmental buffer (e.g. aquifer, larger surface reservoir, is utilized).
Direct Potable Reuse
Typical current definition: advanced treated reclaimed water is added to raw water supply for further treatment at a drinking water facility.
De Facto Potable Reuse
A community downstream of another withdraws its drinking water from the surface water containing the discharge from the upstream community.

20. Benefits of Potable Reuse
New, safe, reliable, and locally controlled drought-proof water supply
Water is a community asset – economic driver
Capability to replenish over-drafted aquifers (water banking)
Potential sustainable environmental and recreation opportunities

21. Potable Reuse in the US Indirect Potable Reuse Direct Potable Reuse
Orange County, CA
West Basin, Los Angles CA
El Paso, TX
Silicon Valley, CA
Los Angeles Metropolitan Water, CA
San Diego, CA
Direct Potable Reuse
Wichita Falls, TX
Cloudcroft, NM
Big Pines, TX
What I will cover today:
Why reuse is growing in important both in the US and globally
What is happening in the US in terms of expanding applications of water reuse and why
Personal observations from my work on reuse in the state of Nevada including some thoughts on how we can expand the effective application of reuse to meet water challenges
What the Water Environment Federation is doing to contribute to water sector knowledge and provide tools related to water reuse

22. Our View of Successful Potable Reuse Projects
Public engagement
Builds trust and credibility
Regional effort
Water purveyor must be #1
Engages diverse expertise
Clearly defined purpose
New water supply
Environmental sustainability and social benefits
Clear regulatory pathway
Feasibility phase
Demonstration project
Builds public trust

23. Feasibility Phase Activities
Project Development
Stead/Lemmon Valley
Community Outreach
Nevada Regulatory Update
Cold Springs
Pilot Testing Technologies
3 - 5 years
Spanish Springs Valley
Demonstration Project
South Meadows
Hydrogeologic Investigations
Bedell Flat
Funding

24. May 2016: Initiate Project Development
Develop a comprehensive game plan
Supported by the National Water Research Institute
5 national potable reuse experts
Includes University of Nevada
Develop a Potable Reuse opportunity statement that is specific for the community
University of Nevada
NWRI Expert Panels
Regional Team
Nevada
DEP
Tech Support

25. Feasibility Phase Activities Pilot Testing Treatment Technologies
Biological Activated Carbon (BAC)
WateReuse Research Foundation
by the City of Reno
by Regional Agencies
Stantec and American Water

26. Feasibility Phase Activities Demonstration Project UNR Water Campus

27. Timeline

28. Current Status NDEP regulatory process on schedule
UNR contracting phase initiated
Expert panel kick-off meeting in May 2016
Treatment Pilot testing starting in June 2016
Hydrogeologic investigations begun
Agency staff gaining expertise
Agency coordination at high level
Developing an agency funding plan
June 2016: in-depth briefings to NNWPC & WRWC

29. VII. Conclusions
Optimization modeling will provide decision makers with the technical information to consider if:
TMWRF-Huffaker intertie pipeline,
Year-round effluent demand, such as IPR or TRIC, or
Some combination of the above
is a sound long-term strategy for reducing TMWRF nitrogen loading to the Truckee River, compared to other alternatives
The decision has been made to install a limited portion of the intertie pipeline
The potential benefits to the region regarding IPR merit a pilot project
The potential benefits of additional effluent reuse, using one or more of the identified alternatives, may help to delay or avoid additional treatment at TMWRF
Water rights constraints remain unresolved
Jim

30. VIII. Overall Recommendations
Continue Stantec project coordinator services
Pursue permitting and demonstration of an IPR facility in the north valleys
Continue developing framework for regional effluent management master plan
Resolve the water rights return flow issues
Jim

31. Questions?

32. PARKING LOT SLIDES

33. V. Inter-Connect Pipeline Recommendation
1000 FT INITIAL PHASE
Give map as handout

34. Previous Regional Potable Reuse Projects
2010 North Valleys Initiative (Reno-Stead)
Pilot tested advanced treatment alternative to reverse osmosis
Aquifer recharge alternative was cost effective compared to effluent disposal and purple pipe reuse system
2004 Spanish Springs Valley
Satellite treatment facility
Groundwater recharge
Previous Challenges
Limited TMWA involvement
No clear regulatory framework in Nevada
Very few successful national/international projects

35. Feasibility Phase Activities Hydrogeologic Investigations
Bedell Flat infiltration and ASR feasibility
RIB test trenches and 3 monitoring wells - $150k
Bird Spring Drainage Area Infiltration testing - $50k
ASR well and two 2” monitoring wells - $200k
Permitting and BLM clearances - $50k
NDEP $40k grant available now
Similar approach possible for Spanish Springs, Warm Springs, elsewhere

36. Regional Effluent Perspectives
Effluent management can be more challenging than water supply – particularly in the North Valleys
Growth readiness
Potential to use resources outside the TMSA
Infrastructure investments are needed
Stringent water quality limits on the Truckee River
Nitrogen
Phosphorous
Total Dissolved Solids
Water right constraints
Complex