Challenges of Integrating RO Treatment of an Alternative Brackish Water Supply in Central Florida

The City of Lakeland on the evaluated the feasibility of utilizing a brackish Lower Floridan aquifer (LFA) source water to allow the integration of this alternative water supply with their existing 51 MGD lime softening water treatment plant. Alternative RO treatment and blending options were evaluated according to ease of integration, water quality impacts, chemical compatibility in the distribution system, concentrate management requirements, and probable costs. This abstract should be added to the program because it offers a good story about the unique challenges that face inland Central Florida utilities needing to explore alternative water supplies that require RO treatment to augment the limited fresh groundwater supplies.