(294e) Using Solar Powered Mixing Devices to Reduce Dissolved Iron in a Drinking Water Reservoir | AIChE

(294e) Using Solar Powered Mixing Devices to Reduce Dissolved Iron in a Drinking Water Reservoir

Authors 

Heberling, J. A. - Presenter, Heberling Environmental Consultants
Safe drinking water is critically threatened worldwide. One place where this resource is most vulnerable is in reservoirs which provide drinking water to billions of people across the globe. Drinking water reservoirs are susceptible to pollutant contamination, reduced dissolved oxygen (DO), and toxic algal blooms. One innovative solution to these drinking water problems is the use of solar powered mixing devices to circulate reservoir water, minimize stratification, and enhance atmospheric oxidation. The Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB); Birmingham, Alabama (USA); installed multiple solar powered mixing devices (SMD’s) in a drinking water reservoir to improve water quality. After installation of the SMD’s, statistically significant drops in dissolved iron was measured in the reservoir. Over a 99.3% reduction in dissolved iron concentrations was recorded over the warmest months in the second year of the study as compared to the year before the installation of the SMD’s. Significant drops in manganese was also recorded as well as significant increases in pH and dissolved oxygen.