City of Pompano Beach Water Treatment Plant

Pompano Beach, FL

H2M is conducting piloting of ion exchange and GAC media to determine the best media option for the removal of PFAS at the City of Pompano Beach Water Treatment Plant (WTP).

The project entails a comparative review of treatment technologies, potentially to be used in modifications to an existing 50 MGD potable WTP. The City’s WTP, utilizing a combination of nanofiltration (NF) and conventional lime softening (LS), currently produces water in compliance with Florida and USEPA regulations for drinking water. However, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been detected in the plant’s process water stream. The City requires an evaluation to identify optimum treatment technologies, and further identify the preferred placement of such technologies within the existing plant’s treatment train. H2M is responsible for the following:

Alternatives Analysis
H2M reviewed applicable Florida and USEPA rules for PFAS-related water quality, and conceptualized a projection of schedule milestones for the memorialization of these rules. We reviewed the civil, mechanical process, and instrument signalization of the WTP. We also reviewed process water quality, including raw, post-cartridge filter, LS effluent, and finished water. H2M performed preliminary sizing calculations for PFAS treatment equipment specific to options for GAC and AIX as basis-of-design treatment technologies. We prepared preliminary sizing and diagrammatic layouts for process piping, valving, and any typically appurtenant upgrades or additions to the plant yard piping, mechanical piping, process re-pumping, interim wet wells, and/or other typical process accessories. We performed vendor outreach for mechanical process treatment equipment and treatment media options. Upon completion of the initial treatment due diligence, analysis, equipment vendor outreach, and review of options, H2M composed diagrammatic layouts for selected treatment process systems, representing proposed position of integration into the existing treatment train, connectivity via process piping and valving, and the horizontal/vertical positioning of key proposed connection points. Results were summarized in a report to the City.

Pilot Testing
H2M will deliver and install a four-column pilot treatment testing rig at the WTP, with coordination and physical installation of four options for potential PFAS treatment media (two options each for GAC and AIX). H2M will work with MBC and City operations leadership to determine what parameters to include in the sampling and testing protocol, beyond PFAS (i.e. pH, TOC, dissolved metals, etc.). Upon completion of the sixty-day test period, H2M will analyze all lab data and process data, and compose a narrative summary of the test results, along with a review and comparison of outcomes, and recommendations as to which treatment media options are considered viable for full-scale installation. The document will be formatted as an engineer’s report.

Preliminary Opinions of Probable Project & Operating Costs
H2M will prepare and submit preliminary opinions of probable capital cost for the preferred treatment option, and make an estimate of operating costs. In addition, H2M will develop an operational expense (opex) analysis – to include treatment media, labor, electricity, and other predictive maintenance considered typical to the equipment accessories with wear aspects to their O&M profiles. These costs will be projected to a useful service life/service horizon to predicted failure of 25 years.