Fargo 15 MGD Integrated Membrane WTP: Pilot Study, Design, Operation and Optimization

The City of Fargo, ND, owns and operates a 15 MGD membrane WTP that treats surface water that has high fouling potential: 8-16 mg/L organics, TDS up to 1,000 mg/L, and wide temperature swing 33-85 ∞F. The plant faces various challenges through seasons: pretreatment upsets (poor settling) and high operating pressures in winter and spring, severe organic/bio fouling, and rapid differential pressure (DP) rising in summer. This presentation will cover the pilot study, a few important investigations the plant performed to improve the operations to consistently produce high quality drinking and shares the successful experiences to reduce the fouling potential, a new UF membrane fiber repair approach, bio-fouling mitigating options, reversed permeate flush and CIP.