Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
T1: High-Performance Membranes: Real Results, Real Savings
IWC Rep: James (Jay) Harwood, ZwitterCo, Oakville, ON, Canada
Session Chair: Michael Bluemle, PH.D., Solenis LLC, Wilmington, DE
Discussion Leader: Karen Budgell, P.E., WSP, Athens, TX
Driven by increasing water scarcity and tightening environmental regulatory standards, the demand for high-efficient, cost-effective water reuse solutions continues to grow. This session presents advanced membrane-based technologies for wastewater reuse and micropollutant removal. Examples of full-scale applications highlight significant, quantifiable savings in water usage, energy consumption and lifecycle costs, which provide actionable insights to engineers and end-users involved in the design and optimization of water treatment systems.
IWC 25-29: Development of New UF Membrane with Fine Pores for Wastewater Reuse
Susan Guibert, Toray Membrane USA, Poway, CA; Shun Shimura, Toray Industries Inc., Shiga, Otsu, Japan
In Reuse applications, RO fouling can lead to significant down time for cleaning and shortened RO membrane life. Often the fouling is caused by dissolved organics passing through the UF membrane and forming a layer on the RO membrane. New UF membranes have even smaller, finer pore size which can reject these dissolved organics. The benefits include less downtime for cleaning, reduced operating costs, extended membrane life and reduced power consumption.
Discusser: Brett Thompson P.E., ZwitterCo, Woburn, MA
IWC 25-30: Water Positive: Optimizing Membrane Performance to Restore More, Deplete Less
Mohannad (Mo) Malki, AWC (American Water Chemicals), Plant City, FL
Discusser: Pavani Silaparasetty, GHD, Boca Raton, FL
IWC 25-31: Evaporation Pond Sizing Considerations and Reuse Optimization
Bryan Hansen, P.E., and Thomas Hope, Burns & McDonnell, Kansas City, MO
Development of a new combined cycle gas generation facility was established with a ZLD target using evaporation ponds as the final repository of plant generated wastewater. This paper will address how various wastewater streams were recycled to reduce total wastewater flows to the evaporation ponds. The impacts of recycling and additional treatment costs will be compared with increased evaporation pond size and costs. This paper discusses factors and margins used in sizing the evaporation pond.
Discusser: Lee Webb, P.E., WesTech Engineering, Salt Lake City, UT
IWC 25-32: Micropollutant Reduction and Wastewater Reuse via MBR
Matthew Rutherford, MANN+HUMMEL Water & Membrane Solutions, Goleta, CA; Maximilian Werner, and Sreenath Kariveti, MANN+HUMMEL Water & Membrane Solutions, GmbH, Wiesbaden, Hessen, Germany
In case one, 9-18 mg PAC/L was dosed in basin with a membrane bioreactor (MBR) product at the final clarifier at a conventional activated sludge (CAS) plant. Target pharmaceutical compounds showed a reduction of 80-90+% and up to a 3 Log Removal Value (LRV) for antibiotic-resistant genes (ARG). In case two, a MBR + ozone process increased removal efficiencies 50% to ~90% over 0.22-0.78 grams ozone (O3)/gDOC along with a 3 LRV for ARGs.
Discusser: Rangesh Srinivasan, Ph.D., P.E., Tetra Tech, Houston, TX
T2: PFAS Removal and Cost Implications with Adsorption and Membrane Processes
IWC Rep: Kristen Jenkins, Kiewit, Atlanta, GA
Session Chair: Haley White, Ph.D, Bechtel, Reston, VA
Discussion Leader: Devesh Mittal, Aquatech, Canonsburg, PA
The presence of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in many water sources necessitate advanced treatment technologies for their removal. In this session, raw water, storm water, wastewater, and landfill leachate require PFAS treatment before use, reuse, or discharge. Adsorbents, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis are compared for their efficacy in PFAS removal from water sources with varying qualities.
IWC 25-33: Navigating the PFAS Puzzle: Strategic Assessment and Prioritization for Stormwater
Andrea Collier, P.E., Barr Engineering Co., Jefferson City, MO; Heather Lau, P.E., Barr Engineering Co., Minneapolis, MN
Many industrial sites are assessing PFAS in stormwater, a complex issue because it is readily transported in water. This case study presents a practical approach—from document review and data collection to implementing site-specific best management practices (BMPs). It includes prioritization strategies to guide BMP implementation and highlights regulatory drivers and effective techniques. The goal is to offer a clear, flexible roadmap for addressing PFAS in stormwater and improving environmental outcomes through ongoing evaluation and adaptation.
Discusser: James Scholl, P.E., ENV SP, BCEE, Kiewit, Lenexa, KS
IWC 25-34: 2025 Update on PFAS Rejection by NF and RO
Wayne Bates, Hydranautics, Rockton, IL; David Shin, Hydranautics, Oceanside, Ca; Yuha Okazaki, Hydranautics-Nitto, Shiga, Japan; Kirk Lai, Hydranautics, Buda, TX
This paper reports updated support data for PFAS rejection rates and ranges of various NF and RO membranes. There will be a number of on-site case studies and a lab study using spiked PFAS compounds. Our NF/RO design program has been updated to project rejection of six different PFAS compounds. Other mitigating factors that may influence rejection rates for various feed water parameters such as TDS, TOC, NOM, pH, temperature, flux rates, and PFAS concentrations.
Discusser: Bridget Moyles, P.E., GHD, Allison Park, PA
IWC 25-35: PFAS Treatment Total Cost of Ownership (10-Year and 25-Year) Study
Chris Scott, Veolia, Trevose, PA; Elaine Towe, P.Eng., Veolia, Oakville, ON, Canada
This paper describes an engineering and operating cost model, covering the the main cost drivers, for a 25 Year Life Cycle typical Municipal drinking water installation for Microcontaminant Treatment (including PFAS). It covers a 1 MGD Municipal, 12′ Lead Lag configuration with either carbon or resin, easily scalable to higher flow rates. Costs have escalated, new designs are available, and optimized strategies have evolved, making a refresh of the topic timely.
Discusser: Paul Nedwick, ResinTech, Inc., Camden, NJ
IWC 25-36: Removal of per-/poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from landfill leachate using membrane technology – A Pilot Study
Mingchen Wu, and Kam Broxton, Mott Corporation, Plymouth, MI
Landfill leachate is a major source of PFAS and other contaminants. A pilot study was conducted using an advanced Two-Stage Reverse Osmosis™ (TSRO) system to treat high-strength leachate. The system, combining nanofiltration, Sub-Induction Time RO™, and polishing RO, achieved up to 97.5% recovery and removed most contaminants, including 28 PFAS compounds. Results demonstrated that TSRO can reliably produce clean water suitable for surface discharge, offering a cost-effective and efficient leachate treatment solution.
Discusser: John Peichel, Veolia WTS, Minnetonka, MN
T3: Refinery Water and Wastewater
IWC Rep: Colleen Scholl, HDR, Madison, WI
Session Chair: Mark Owens, P.E., UCC Environmental, Waukegan, IL
Discussion Leader: John Van Gehuchten, V-Systems, Pittsburgh, PA
Refineries use large amounts of water and generate very specific high-strength wastewater streams requiring advanced treatment. This session begins with a paper on optimizing boiler feed water treatment then jumps into the technoeconomic methods for evaluating wastewater treatment projects. The last two papers delve into specific treatment approaches for wastewaters with high concentrations of ammonia and COD. Come and learn more about this fascinating sector.
IWC 25-37: Triumph in Steam Quality: Refinery’s Success Through Strategic Boiler Feed Water Optimization
Ashton Needham, Chevron, Pascagoula, MI
This refinery case study demonstrates how facilities can achieve significant steam quality improvements by optimizing existing boiler feed water and condensate recovery systems—without new infrastructure.
Leveraging real-time KPI dashboards, hydraulic flexibility, and operator training, this approach delivered measurable water savings and enhanced system reliability. Water Professionals will gain a replicable framework for advancing sustainability, operational efficiency, and reliability in industrial water treatment systems as a first step before pursuing costly upgrades and increased complexity.
Discusser: Macy Divens, P.E., Michael Baker International, Moon Township, PA
IWC 25-38: Wastewater Treatment for a Petrochemical Facility: Techno-Economic Evaluation for Partial Treatment vs Full Treatment and Reuse
Luis Suarez and Sean Lowe, Fluor, Houston, TX
This study is a techno-economic analysis of the wastewater treatment for a steam cracker and polymer facility. The objective of the analysis is to determine whether it is more cost effective to (1) treat facility wastewater to the minimum allowable effluent quality and purchase all process utility water or (2) treat the wastewater to a higher quality to be reused in the facility to reduce process utility water cost.
Discusser: David Donkin, UCC Environmental, Waukegan, IL
IWC 25-39: Managing Ammonia Spikes in Industrial Wastewater Treatment: The Impact of Amines on Nitrification and Recovery
Everett Gill, Brown and Caldwell, Sunrise, FL; Jeff Allen, Brown and Caldwell, Saint Paul, MN
Industrial wastewater treatment facilities, especially those at refineries, face challenges with ammonia limits in their discharge permits, necessitating effective nitrification. These facilities often operate at higher solids retention times (SRT) compared to other activated sludge systems to manage spike loadings of organic nitrogen compounds. These spikes are frequently due to discharges from amine gas treatment processes within the refinery, involving compounds like methyldiethanolamine (MDEA), which hydrolyze to ammonia, increasing the ammonia load that requires nitrification.
Discusser: David Alvarado, Newterra, Coraopolis, PA
IWC 25-40: Cost Effective Methods for Refinery Wastewater Tank Treatment through Chlorine Dioxide
Sankaran Murugesan, Stephen Garza, and Michael Carpenter, Baker Hughes, Sugar Land, TX
Refinery wastewater treatment is vital for crude unit operations. High chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels from process upsets can overwhelm biological systems, raising costs. Storing such water is expensive due to its hazardous classification. Chemical additives often fail or add COD. Chlorine dioxide offers an effective alternative, oxidizing organics and improving water quality. This case study shows an 85% COD reduction from 120,000 ppm, offering a fast, cost-effective reuse solution.
Discusser: Alen Gusa Ph.D., P.E., Michael Baker International, Moon Township, PA
T4: MLD/ZLD: Good to the Last Drop!
IWC Rep: Jane Kucera, MS, ChE, Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company, Naperville, IL
Session Chair: Wayne Bates, Hydranautics, Rockton, IL
Discussion Leader: Michael Preston, Kiewit, Lenexa, KS
Minimal Liquid Discharge (MLD)/Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) is a design philosophy to maximize wastewater recovery while optimizing CAPEX-OPEX costs. The key to successful MLD/ZLD is evaluating the cost/benefit of each technique for any specific facility. To understand how to proceed with such an evaluation, we begin our Session with an overview of MLD and ZLD design strategies, and ways to determine which strategy may be appropriate for your facility. We then cover unit operation process design for a specific industry—semiconductors—for ZLD. The remaining papers focus on a review of traditional thermal technology for ZLD add a new, novel desalination technology for low pH mining waste waters.
IWC 25-41: MLD vs ZLD Strategies – Which One Should You Choose?
Walter Kozlowski, Xylem Inc, Lemont, IL; Patrick Regan, Solenis LLC, Wilmington, DE
This paper presents an unbiased view of MLD and ZLD and how it impacts sustainability objectives, allowing you to fully understand the benefits and challenges of each. MLD and ZLD are potentially viable pathways to achieve facilities’ water-reduction objectives and support a sustainability strategy. However, both present somewhat unique advantages and disadvantages which are often overlooked during planning stages. By making thoughtful decisions based on needs, drivers, and constraints, MLD/ZLD projects ultimately become more viable.
Discusser: Andrew Mueller, Aquatech International, Hartland, IL
IWC 25-42: Upstream Treatment Strategies for ZLD Processes
Brian Lowes, and Kyle Brunn, Jacobs, Akron, OH
Electronical component manufacturing uses significant quantities of water and may cause local water stress. The water demand and individual environmental goals have required these industries to create a more reliable, and sustainable water supply by optimizing water reuse for the facility. Water reuse with ZLD technologies is prominent.
Complex water quality and treatment required benefit from alternatives analysis to optimize reuse. Cost reductions range up to 20% savings by minimizing ZLD components.
Discusser: Suzette Puski, Stantec, Providence, RI
IWC 25-43: Zero Liquid Discharge Using Thermal Evaporation for Water Recovery and Waste Minimization – A Produced Water Management Case Story
Kristian Lindell, Alfa Laval Technologies, Lund, Sweden
While typically 70% to 90% water recovery can be achieved using membrane technology to reuse water from industrial applications, thermal evaporation technology is the real enabler to achieve full ZLD. This case study demonstrates how Mechanical Vapor Recompression in combination with concentration and crystallization systems (based on plate heat exchangers and forced circulation) can provide a robust and flexible system in areas where steam is not available and successfully minimize cleaning and maintenance costs.
Discusser: William Celenza, P.E. BCEE, Burns & McDonnell, Chicago, IL
IWC 25-44: Achieving MLD in Reverse Osmosis (RO) Reject Treatment using Electro-Ceramic Desalination (ECD)
Unnati Rao, Ph.D., Mike Botros, Roland George, Greg Newbloom, and Joshua Summers, Membrion Inc., Seattle, WA
A global consumer chemical manufacturer sought to meet internal net-zero wastewater goals by 2030 to reduce OPEX and relieve municipal water demand. This paper presents the results of a successful pilot using Membrion’s novel Electro-Ceramic Desalination (ECD) membranes to treat and reuse RO brine. Bench and pilot testing demonstrated >85% recovery of RO brine and boosted overall plant recovery to 96%, positioning ECD as a high-performance solution for industrial water reuse and sustainability.
Discusser: Paul Brandt, P.E., Burns & McDonnell