Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – Noon
W1: Waste to Worth: Water Solutions for Food & Beverage Growth
IWC Rep: Jeff Easton, ClearStream Engineering, Salt Lake City, UT
Session Chair: Craig Mills, WesTech Engineering, Salt Lake City, UT
Discussion Leader: Samantha Fowler, Kurita America, Salt Lake City, UT
This session explores how food and beverage facilities are leveraging advanced and adaptable wastewater treatment strategies to support growth, sustainability, and operational stability. Across diverse applications, the presentations highlight innovations in anaerobic treatment, membrane systems, mobile and modular solutions, water reuse, and process intensification. A common focus is managing complex, high-strength waste streams while maximizing resource recovery and enabling reliable, compliant operations without limiting production or requiring significant infrastructure expansion.
IWC 26-61: Sweet Production, Sour Constraints: Solving Overload Challenges for Candy Wastewater
Bridget Moyles, GHD, Allison Park, PA; Mark Guagagni, GHD, San Francisco, CA; Lindsay Steis, GHD, Camp Hill, PA
A historic candy company wants to add a new fill line to their process, and as part of the addition, they wanted to evaluate their existing WWTP, which includes anaerobic MBRs and biogas production. The evaluation also looks to include the facility’s high-strength wastewater, which is currently being hauled offsite, to the WWTP influent. The evaluation includes process, spatial, and cost analyses.
Discusser:
IWC 26-62: Design of a Wastewater Treatment and Water Recycling Facility at a Food Production Plant
Kathryn Falk, WSP, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada; Bill Malyk, WSP, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Due to site conditions a food production facility required a unique solution to their water supply and discharge challenges. To enable plant expansion a wastewater, water recycle and zero liquid discharge system was implemented. The system included anaerobic pre-treatment with biogas utilization, a four-stage activated sludge treatment system with a membrane bioreactor (MBR), a reverse osmosis (RO) system with activated carbon (GAC) pretreatment and disinfection system. The system design and performance will be discussed.
Discusser:
IWC 26-63: From Innovation to Optimization: Long‑Term Nanobubble Performance for Food & Beverage Wastewater Process Intensification
John Crissman, Moleaer, Inc., Eudora, KS; Andrea White, P.E., Moleaer, Inc., Sparks, NV; Riley Murnane, P.E., Moleaer, Inc., Phoenix, AZ
Cheese manufacturing wastewater contains surfactants from Clean-in-Place sanitation that inhibit biological treatment, destabilize anaerobic digestion, and drive costly waste hauling. This paper presents a three-year case study at a Wisconsin dairy facility following nanobubble generator installation in fall 2022. Results include: digester stability through three consecutive winters; up to 35% increase in biogas production; 175% improvement in ammonia removal efficiency; 88% reduction in effluent COD; and complete elimination of high-strength waste hauling by year two.
Discusser:
IWC 26-64: Design and Operational Experience of an Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) for Brewery Wastewater Treatment in the United States
Aryan Alidadi, Veolia, Oakville, Ontario Canada; Youngseck Hong, Veolia, Oakville, Ontario, Canada; Andrew Alex, Veolia, Oakville, Ontario, Canada; Brian Arntsen, Veolia WTS, Oakville, Ontario, Canada; Bill Malyk, WSP, Canada
A U.S. brewery commissioned a two-stage wastewater treatment system in 2021 to meet stringent discharge regulations. The system combines an Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) with an aerobic MBR to treat high COD and TSS concentrations in the wastewater (120,000–175,000 gpd). The AnMBR removes digestible organics, resulting in high-quality effluent that consistently exceeds regulatory limits. This paper examines operational data, demonstrating the effectiveness of AnMBR technology in the food and beverage industry.
Discusser:
IWC 26-W1-R: Corn Processing Facility Employs Mobile Wastewater Treatment System
Evan Shale, Aquatech International – AES Division, Canonsburg, PA
A first-of-its-kind commercial dry corn milling facility in the Midwestern United States required an immediate wastewater pretreatment solution to enable reliable start up and compliant discharge to a publicly owned treatment works (POTW). The facility produces dextrose using a novel dry milling platform that integrates fermentation and proprietary agricultural technologies to convert renewable feedstocks into low carbon ingredients, achieving an estimated 40% reduction in carbon footprint relative to conventional wet milling. As a new operation, limited historical wastewater data were available, and influent characteristics during commissioning were uncertain. In parallel, the permanent wastewater treatment system was still under development, necessitating an emergency, rapidly deployable treatment approach.
W2: Innovative pretreatment and operational features for high-recovery and reverse osmosis system optimization
IWC Rep: Jane Kucera, UCC Environmental, Plainfield, IL
Session Chair: Wayne Bates, Hydranautics Nitto Denko, Rockton, IL
Discussion Leader: Brandon Yallaly, Carollo
This session highlights advancements in industrial RO and NF water treatment, focusing on automation, footprint reduction, and cost optimization. Together, these studies demonstrate an industry shift toward chemical minimization and sustainable, high-recovery membrane designs. This can be achieved by improvements in mechanical and chemical pretreatment, advances in instrumentation and monitoring, and dynamic membrane operations where new design techniques are used to achieve maximum recovery.
IWC 26-65: Chemical-Free Dechlorination and Improved Reverse Osmosis Pretreatment at Turk Power Plant: Two Years with Medium Pressure Ultraviolet (UV) Technology
Jason Jacobsen, American Electric Power, Columbus, OH; Kyle Kinard, Southwestern Electric Power Company, Fulton, AK; Amanda Blust, American Electric Power, Columbus, OH; Dennis Bitter, Atlantium, Lakewood Ranch, FL
The John W. Turk Jr. Power Plant (Turk Power Plant) is a 600-megawatt (MW) ultra-supercritical coal-fueled station in Fulton, Arkansas, operated by the American Electric Power (AEP) subsidiary Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO).
In October 2023, Turk Power Plant installed medium-pressure (MP) ultraviolet (UV) technology (Hydro-Optic™ Disinfection (HOD UV)) as RO pretreatment to eliminate sodium bisulfite for dechlorination and in an effort to reduce biological fouling.
Discusser: Harold Wright, Carollo Engineers, Inc., Boise, ID
IWC 26-66: Enhancing RO Membranes Efficiency and Reducing Chemical Costs with Multiparameter Monitoring
Vadim Malkov, Hach, Loveland, CO USA; Dan Griswold, ChemTreat, Glenn Allen, VA; James Harbridge, Hach, Loveland, CO
A food production facility in Northern Colorado tested the efficacy of a multiparameter RO monitoring panel to measure vital feedwater parameters. The online instrumentation included in the panel monitored ultra-low range (ULR) chlorine, turbidity, conductivity, pH, and several other parameters. Connecting the outputs to intelligent water management software allowed for cross-analysis of the data, offering valuable insight into RO feedwater quality, and resulting in treatment program adjustments to achieve remarkable results.
Discusser:
IWC 26-67: From Prediction to Performance: Addressing Challenges in High-Recovery Reverse Osmosis
Ken Robinson, Kurita America, Minneapolis, MN
Dynamic reverse osmosis (RO) processes represent an emerging approach to high-recovery RO system design by reducing fouling and scaling limits through RO concentrate management and scale inhibition timing. However, performance often differs between models, pilots, and full-scale systems. This paper reviews operational case studies to identify common gaps, lessons learned, best practices, and practical strategies to improve system reliability and efficiency in both traditional high-recovery and dynamic RO installations.
Discusser: Giancarlo Barassi, MBA, Ph.D., Aquatech International LLC, Canonsburg, PA
IWC 26-68: Value Design Engineering for Beverage Water-Rooms: Integrating High-Recovery RO with Total Lifecycle Cost Optimization
Dileep Agnihotri, Ph.D., WATERSURPLUS, Loves Park, IL; Jody Burgess, WATERSURPLUS, Loves Park, IL
To combat emerging contaminants, the beverage industry broadly uses prefiltration for total suspended solids (TSS) removal, activated carbon for organics and free chlorine removal, followed by RO for hardness, chlorides, and total dissolved solids (TDS) removal. To achieve higher recoveries, multiple ROs in series are generally deployed. This paper evaluates a single-step, high-recovery, high-efficiency RO as a value-engineered option for modern beverage water-rooms, addressing water quality, spatial footprint, capital, and operating costs – delivering the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Discusser:
W3: Mine Water Treatment: Critical Minerals and Vital Resources
IWC Rep: Bill Kennedy, Stantec, Charlotte, NC
Session Chair: Jaron Stanley, WesTech Water, Salt Lake City, UT
Discussion Leader: Evan Claytor, Veolia, Glen Allen, VA
The growing demand for critical minerals highlights the importance of effective and sustainable mine water treatment. This session will focus on treating complex mine waters. Topics include next generation membranes for resource recovery, integrated system design for pit dewatering, multistage treatment of metals, and improved understanding of softening sludge behavior. These presentations demonstrate how design based on real world and theoretical experience enables more efficient recovery, reuse and discharge of mine water.
IWC 26-69: Advancing Resource Recovery with LSRRO Membranes
Toni Bechtel, Water Solutions – FilmTec, Edina, MN; Jochen Henkel, DuPont Water Solutions, Rheinmünster, Germany; Denise Haukkala, DuPont Water Solutions, Edina, MN; Tirtha Chatterjee, DuPont Water Solutions, Wilmington, DE; Christine Park, DuPont Water Solutions, Singapore
The rapid growth of lithium and critical mineral production is placing unprecedented demands on water resources while generating high salinity brines that are increasingly regulated and costly to manage. Conventional Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) approaches rely heavily on thermal evaporation and crystallization, resulting in high capital intensity, significant energy consumption, and elevated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This paper presents how next generation membrane technologies enable a shift from disposal driven ZLD toward brine valorization and resource recovery in lithium and mining applications.
Discusser: John Peichel
IWC 26-70: Engineering Design and Treatability Evaluation of Copper Mine Pit Lake Dewatering for Recharge, Irrigation Reuse, and Surface Discharge
Caitlin Callaway, E.I.T., WaterTectonics, Everett, WA; Denney Eames, P.E., WaterTectonics, Everett, WA; Thomas Igou, Ph.D., WaterTectonics, Everett, WA; Bryan Nielsen, WaterTectonics, Everett, WA
This study presents the conceptual design and treatability evaluation of dewatering a copper mine pit lake containing approximately 43,000 acre-feet of water. Three discharge scenarios—groundwater recharge, irrigation reuse, and direct discharge—were evaluated with corresponding treatment strategies. Uranium and selenium were the primary constituents of concern. Treatment technologies, including ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and brine treatment with silica precipitation and ultrafiltration, were evaluated for cost-effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and water recovery optimization.
Discusser: Shannon Brown, HDR, Omaha, NE
IWC 26-71: Optimizing Iron Coprecipitation for Treatment of Arsenic, Antimony, and Mercury in Mine Impacted Waters
Dominic Pontarolo, Brown and Caldwell, BOISE, ID; Krystal Perez, Brown and Caldwell; Nathan Hontoria, Brown and Caldwell; Nathan Hathaway, Brown and Caldwell
As development of critical mineral resources expands, treatment of mine-impacted water presents a growing challenge. Bench-scale testing evaluated iron coprecipitation for removing arsenic, antimony, and mercury from mine-impacted water. Results showed competing pH dependencies and important interactions among iron dose, organosulfide addition, and filtration. While two-stage treatment improved performance, a three-stage pH-sequenced approach was required to achieve target concentrations for all key constituents. Findings supported treatment process design and permitting for future mine water management.
Discusser: Tom Higgins, Worley
IWC 26-72: Understanding the Effect of Varying Calcium and Magnesium Concentrations on Softening Sludge Thickening
Harley Schreiber, WesTech Engineering, South Salt Lake, UT; Luke Schreiber, WesTech Engineering, South Salt Lake, UT; Lee Webb, WesTech Engineering, South Salt Lake, UT
Chemical softening is applied not only to municipal and industrial applications but also to mine water treatment. Although widely used and well understood, there is very little quantitative information published about sludge characteristics from this process. Empirical relationships between thickened sludge concentration and thickener sizing will be presented. These relationships will be used to discuss differences in sludge production and thickener operation when treating water or wastewater of varying calcium and magnesium concentrations.
Discusser: Anukriti Shah, Brown & Caldwell, Seattle, WA
W4: Advancing Wastewater Solutions for Power Generation: From Compliance to Implementation
IWC Rep: Michele Funk, P.E., Bechtel, Reston,VA
Session Chair: Otto Morales, P.Eng., Kubota, Bothell, WA
Discussion Leader: Mayra A. Giraldo, P.E., Stantec, Alpharetta, GA
Power generation facilities face increasing pressure to balance regulatory compliance, operational reliability, and economic viability. This session highlights emerging and practical solutions for wastewater treatment and compliance, including physical-chemical system optimization, innovative ZLD strategies, comparative compliance pathways, and accelerated project delivery models. Through case studies and implementation experiences, presenters will share lessons learned and provide actionable insights for utilities, consultants, regulators, and technology providers navigating the next generation of power sector water challenges.
IWC 26-73: Advancing ZLD for Coal-Fired Power Plants: A Simplified Approach to Complex Wastewater
Lance Edling, Xylem, Pittsburgh, PA
Coal-fired power plants are facing increasing pressure to comply with evolving EPA Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELG) and Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) regulations, particularly in the management of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater and legacy surface impoundments. This paper discusses the design process for implementing technologies that maximize the preconcentration effect of waste streams prior to thermal treatment; and then using a high concentrating thermal system to minimize final disposal volumes of salt and/or slurries requiring stabilization.
Discusser: Harley Schreiber, WesTech Engineering, Salt Lake City, UT
IWC 26-74: Navigating Compliance Pathways for Coal-Fired Plants: Comparative Analysis of MLD/ZLD Technologies and VIP Strategies Under the 2024 ELG Rule
Macy Richard, Michael Baker International, Moon Township, PA; Austin Lavy, Michael Baker International, Moon Township, PA
The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2024 Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELG) Final Rule set strict limits on the discharge of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater, bottom ash transport water (BATW), combustion residual leachate, and legacy wastewaters.
As a result, owners and operators of coal-fired power plants now face limited options for compliance. Most facilities choose one of two paths: either cease operations by 2028 or adopt zero liquid discharge (ZLD) or minimal liquid discharge (MLD) technologies. While MLD/ZLD methods are effective in meeting regulatory requirements, they are expensive to implement and operate, require advanced automation, and may not be practical for plants nearing the end of their useful life.
Discusser: Carson Brown, Southern Company, Birmingham, AL
IWC 26-75: Physical Chemical Wastewater Treatment System Study and Improvement Options
Joshua Wright, Stantec, Lexington, KY
Biological treatment systems are widely used in the power industry to meet EPA Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs). However, their performance depends on upstream treatment. A study of two similar plants identified physical-chemical constraints, including high solids loading, hydraulic instability, and suboptimal configuration, limiting treatment performance. These findings supported the development of capital and operational recommendations with a Class 5 cost estimate to improve system reliability and efficiency.
Discusser: Carlie Knutson, Santee Cooper, Moncks Corner, SC
IWC 26-76: Alternative Contracting Approach for Water Treatment
Bryan Hansen, Burns & McDonnell, Kansas City, MO; Gianna Muggli, Burns & McDonnell, Kansas City, MO
Development of a new simple cycle gas generation facility on an accelerated project schedule left little time to plan, design, procure, and construct the required demineralized water treatment equipment assuming traditional contracting methods. To save time, we implemented an alternative contracting approach. This allowed us to get right into engineering, design, and procurement activities as quickly as possible. We’ll discuss the contracting structure and advantages it provided in this unique arrangement.
Discusser: Katie VanderEspt, EIT, EPRI, Brooks, KY