Biological Recovery of Water Resources: First Edition

With rising global tensions over water scarcity and the growing international competition for limited water supplies, reclaiming domestic wastewater for potable uses (e.g., drinking, bathing, food preparation, groundwater recharge, etc.) as well as for non-potable water uses (e.g., crop and landscape irrigation, boiler make-up water, toilet flushing, etc.) has become a necessity for individuals, communities and municipalities impacted by drought and other water deficiency challenges. The fundamentals of biological recovery of water resources are described in a brand-new technical workbook written by Dr. Michael McFarland, PE, BCEE. The workbook provides a technical framework that supports an introductory course in biologically-based water purification. The technical workbook introduces the engineering, science, natural resource and/or business student to biologically-based systems designed to generate high-quality water. The course begins with an in-depth introduction of the physical-chemical operations that characterize the modern-day water recovery facility. Unit operations that comprise water preliminary and primary treatment are covered within this introduction. The course then pivots to a theoretical examination of microbial growth, bioenergetics and bacterial growth kinetics before highlighting the biological removal of standard organic pollutants using fixed film (e.g., Trickling Filters, Biotowers, etc.) and suspended growth biological systems (e.g., Activated Sludge). From organic pollutant removal, the workbook transitions to a discussion of biologically-based nutrient management with an emphasis on biological nitrification, denitrification and phosphorus removal. While its primary focus is on high-quality water recovery from domestic wastewater, the workbook incorporates an important discussion of biologically-recoverable biogas fuel and crop fertilizers. The workbook describes the role of anaerobic digestion in generating high-quality biogas fuel and biosolids-based nitrogen fertilizers. The workbook concludes with a description of the potential role of biology in removing toxic materials in water resource recovery systems. The focus of this discussion is not only the removal of inorganic species such as heavy metals but also the interplay between biological and non-biological processes in removing emerging organic pollutants from water. With the recognition that reliable access to high quality water is vital for human survival, it is of paramount importance that those individuals assuming responsibility for designing, building and maintaining water recovery systems be trained to make economically and scientifically- defensible decisions that protect public health and the environment. A full understanding of the technical topics described in this workbook represents an important first step in their professional training and development.