On October 31st, 2019, I visited Colorado River Municipal Water District (CRMWD)’s Raw Water Production Facility (RWPF) in Big Spring, TX. The RWPF started its operation in 2013 as the nation’s first direct potable reuse (DPR) plant. Biologically treated wastewater from the City of Big Spring Wastewater Treatment Plant is treated by a series of advanced treatment processes, including microfiltration (MF), reverse osmosis (RO), and UV-hydrogen peroxide advanced oxidation process (AOP). Up to 1.7 million gallons per day (MGD) of highly treated water is combined with surface water and used as raw water for drinking water treatment plants in the cities of Big Spring, Odessa, and Snyder. The concentrate from RO (0.6 MGD) is currently discharged to Beals Creek, which is naturally brackish due to the local geological formation.
Microfiltration at RWPF
2-Stage RO at RWPF
UV-AOP Reactor at RWPF
Drinking Highly Purified Wastewater
Beals Creek