The city and its consultants, HDR and Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. conducted an engineering study to determine the most cost-effective alternative for upgrading the plants and found that low-pressure membranes would provide the best option. HDR is in the final phases of pilot testing four potential systems to be bid for use in Pennsylvania’s largest membrane water treatment application. The winning system bid is expected to be named in early January. This project is among the nation’s first to retrofit older plants with low-pressure membrane technology as well as compare direct- and clarified-feed membrane systems in a competitive bidding environment.
Although membrane technology has been used for many years to purify small quantities of ultra-pure water in the beverage, pharmaceutical and electronics industries, its use for large-volume potable water has been cost-prohibitive until recently. Low-pressure membranes are revolutionizing water treatment because they provide an economical, absolute barrier from potentially pathogenic microorganisms and may reduce the amount of chemicals required for disinfection.
"Being from the pharmaceutical industry, I know how successful membranes have been in purifying water for medicines. As Mayor, I am delighted to know they can now be used to economically treat high volumes of water for the citizens of Lancaster," said Mayor Charles Smithgall. "HDR’s experience was a real plus in guiding us through the pilot test and regulatory permitting."
Source: HDR
