Membrane Pilot for a Direct Potable Reuse Application: The Process of Permitting the Process

The purpose of this paper is to describe the permitting process associated with reclaiming wastewater effluent to be further treated into potable drinking water. Because of the risks associated with this concept, the permitting process became an important step in a string of equally important engineering tasks. The permitting process of the Big Spring Water Reclamation Facility was a process that started in 2008 with the approval of the Membrane Pilot Testing Protocol. With the approval of the protocol the District pre-qualified membrane suppliers to execute the pilot study following the testing protocol guidelines. The pilot study results were submitted to TCEQ and the District was granted the request to use membranes to treat secondary effluent for use as a supplemental water supply.