Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Drinking Water Treatment Plant Design and Operation

This paper applied a water treatment plant (WTP) simulation model developed by the USEPA to evaluate effects of climate change on a WTP design and operation. The simulation model was validated using the Greater Cincinnati Water Works' Richard Miller WTP based on data collected for the Information Collection Rule (ICR) database. As part of the validation process, individual influent water quality parameters were "perturbed" and processed through the simulated Miller WTP to identify key influent water quality factors that significantly affect regulated contaminants in the treated water. TOC and ammonia were identified as key water quality parameters. After the validation process was completed, the simulation model for the Miller WTP was used to examine the impact on regulated contaminants of a set of influent water quality scenarios that might result from climate change. Results of the case study scenarios indicated that the existing Miller WTP operation might not be able to meet Safe Drinking Water Act MCL requirements. Therefore design and operational changes may be required to meet these climate change induced changes in source water quality.