Evaluation of Virus Removal Capabilities of Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Systems in a Full Scale Water Reclamation Facility in Nevada

Many water utilities ask why stringent UV disinfection requirements are in place since reclaimed water pathogen limits are mainly met through MBR alone. The energy use and associated cost for UV disinfection may be an impetus for some facilities to contemplate turning their UV reactors down to a lower operating dose setting without compromising regulatory compliance. Thus, there is a ?disconnect? between the bacterial discharge limits that address disinfection and the implicit regulatory goals for reuse disinfection. A study was conducted at the SWRF to determine virus removal capabilities of the MBR system and UV disinfection to develop operating recommendations for MBR and UV disinfection and therefore address this ?disconnect? at the Southwest Water Reclamation Facility (SWRF) in Henderson, NV.