This presentation includes: Background, Offshore Discharge, Inland Surface Water Discharge, Irrigation, Surface Impoundment, and Underground Injection.

1. Brine Disposal Alternatives
Options for Disposing of Desalination
Concentrate and Water Treatment Residuals
Anthony E. Bennett, R.S.
Technical Director
AECOM Water

2. Anthony E. Bennett, R.S.
Technical Director
AECOM Water

3. Introduction
Background
Offshore Discharge
Inland Surface Water Discharge
Irrigation
Surface impoundment
Underground Injection

4. Background
Desalination initiative
Seawater desalinationSeawater desalination
Brackish groundwaterBrackish groundwater
Recent Drinking Water Standards
ArsenicArsenic
RadionuclidesRadionuclides
Stage 2 Surface Water TreatmentStage 2 Surface Water Treatment

5. Discharge to freshwater surface water
(TPDES individual permit required)
Freshwater surface water use
can be adversely affected by
increases in salinity
Concentrate TDS typically
much greater than water
quality standards
Salinity, Metals, toxic
substances, and naturally
occurring radioactive materials
are concentrated by
membrane technology
desalination and can be a
possible concern

6. Discharges to Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs)
(no TCEQ permit required)
Ability of the POTW to accept the wastewater
volume of the concentratevolume of the concentrate
salinity of the concentratesalinity of the concentrate

7. Irrigation
(TLAP individual permit required)
Any buildup of salt constituents can become toxic to the
crop and/or the soil biosphere
Without the crop and soil mechanisms, there is an
increased probability of impacting surface waters and/or
impacting groundwater

8. Surface Impoundment Evaporation
(TLAP individual permit required)
No discharge to water in the
state is authorized by this
disposal method
Disposal is entirely dependent
on the evaporation rates in the
location of the facility
Impoundments must be sized
properly and lined to
appropriately deal with overflow
and prevent discharges
(percolation) to groundwater

10. Solid Waste Disposal
Treatment residuals which can de dried
Treatment residuals which can pass the TCLP can be
disposed of in municipal waste sites
Treatment residuals which cannot pass TCLP must be
handled as hazardous waste

11. Discharge to marine surface waters
(TPDES individual permit required)
No numerical water quality standards for TDS or Chloride
Discharges can adversely affect aquatic ecosystems of
estuaries and tidal rivers
Metals, toxic substances, and naturally occurring
radioactive materials can be a concern
Discharges further than 3 leagues offshore are under
EPA jurisdiction

12. Underground Injection
(UIC permit required)
Under Federal and Texas Statutes and regulations, a
permit is required if disposal will occur below the base of
underground source of drinking water
Disposal of a waste stream into a Useable Source of
Drinking Water (USDW) that is not hazardous and cannot
degrade an underground drinking water source is
authorized by rule (Class V)

13. Class I Injection Well
Injection of non Oil and Gas Waste below a Useable
Source of Drinking Water (USDW)
HB 2567 exempts Class I Desal disposal wells from
contested case hearing

14. Class II Injection Well
Salt water co-produced with oil and gas
Fluids for enhanced recovery of oil and gas
Storage of hydrocarbons that are liquid at
standard temperature and pressure
Without further federal rulemaking,
desalination concentrate would have to be
injected into oil and gas producing zones for
legitimate enhanced recovery

15. UIC Revisions Under HB 2654
HB 2654 passed by 80th Texas Legislature
Provides for
State rules to allow desalination and other drinking waterState rules to allow desalination and other drinking water
treatment residuals into enhanced recovery wells permitted bytreatment residuals into enhanced recovery wells permitted by
TXRRC without a Class I permit from TCEQTXRRC without a Class I permit from TCEQ
Class I permits by TCEQ for wells that are constructed to nonClass I permits by TCEQ for wells that are constructed to non--
hazardous waste standards for disposal of desalination andhazardous waste standards for disposal of desalination and
drinking water treatment residualsdrinking water treatment residuals
General permits to authorize nonGeneral permits to authorize non--hazardous waste disposal ofhazardous waste disposal of
desalination and drinking water treatment residualsdesalination and drinking water treatment residuals
TCEQ rules addressing these provisions were adopted by TCEQTCEQ rules addressing these provisions were adopted by TCEQ
in June 2008, Effective July 10, 2008in June 2008, Effective July 10, 2008

16. TCEQ Non-Hazardous General Permit
Has not yet been adopted by TCEQ
Would apply only to disposal of desalination and drinking
water treatment residuals
Intended to apply also to dual permitting of Class II
disposal wells
There are approximately 31,000 Class II wells inThere are approximately 31,000 Class II wells in
TexasTexas

18. From UT Bureau of Economic Geology

19. From AECOM display of TXRRC data

20. Class V Injection Wells
Much faster and simpler approval process
Injection must not cause pollution in the receiving
groundwater (30 TAC 331.5)
injectate is "as good or betterinjectate is "as good or better”” than receivingthan receiving
groundwatergroundwater
TCEQ has developed a list of other factors for
consideration in making the needed determinations
This type of injection well authorization was utilized by El
Paso Water Utilities

21. Conclusion
Multiple options for Desalination Residual disposal
Offshore DischargeOffshore Discharge
Inland Surface Water DischargeInland Surface Water Discharge
IrrigationIrrigation
Surface impoundmentSurface impoundment
Discharge to sanitary sewerDischarge to sanitary sewer
Underground InjectionUnderground Injection
Selection of an appropriate and affordable residuals management
option is often the determining factor in project feasibility

22. Questions?