Split-flow process highlight of Brightwater MBR wastewater reuse plant

Brightwater, the newest regional wastewater treatment facility owned and operated by the King County Wastewater Treatment Division in the US Pacific Northwest was officially dedicated on 24 September 2011. It features a 36 MGD (136,000 m /d) membrane bioreactor (MBR) used to capacity in a split-flow process which copes with peak hourly flows of up to 130 MGD (492,000 m /d). Without this split flow, the cost of the MBR would be prohibitive. The plant also produces biosolids for compost and agricultural use, and uses digester gas for process and space heating. This article first appeared in the November/December 2011 issue of Desalination & Water Reuse magazine.

Brightwater, the newest regional wastewater treatment facility owned and operated by the King County Wastewater Treatment Division in the US Pacific Northwest was officially dedicated on 24 September 2011. It features a 36 MGD (136,000 m³/d) membrane bioreactor (MBR) used to capacity in a split-flow process which copes with peak hourly flows of up to 130 MGD (492,000 m³/d).

Without this split flow, the cost of the MBR would be prohibitive.

The plant also produces biosolids for compost and agricultural use, and uses digester gas for process and space heating.

This article first appeared in the November/December 2011 issue of Desalination & Water Reuse magazine.