EVALUATION OF CONVENTIONAL AND MEMBRANE PROCESSES FOR SOFTENING A NORTH-CAROLINA GROUNDWATER

Seven alternatives were evaluated to determine the most effective wate r supply strategy for the United Stares Marine Corp Air Station at the New River Water Treatment giant, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to ensu re adequate flow, pressure and quality of potable water. It was determ ined that the No Action alternative was not acceptable due to plant de ficiencies that have caused regulatory compliance violations. In addit ion, future regulations, particularly those associated with disinfecti on by-products, indicate that a change in treatment strategy should be made. Two upgrade alternatives and three new facility options were co nsidered to allow reliable compliance with current and future regulato ry requirements and produce 3.5 million gallons per day (mgd). All of the new construction options would provide water with a reliable and c onsistent water quality. To allow alternative costs to be evaluated co ncurrently with intangible criteria such as reliability and staffing r equirements, a system was developed for rating the costs on a scale of 1 to 10. The capital and operational costs for each option were norma lized and comparisons made. This paper will review the evaluated treat ment options and the methodology used to select the most cost effectiv e option.