As Florida’s population grows and groundwater levels in the Floridan aquifer decline, experts predict the state will not have enough groundwater to meet future drinking water demands. pureALTA was developed to explore solutions to this challenge by testing a potable reuse system capable of delivering a safe, reliable and sustainable water supply.
The project evaluates an advanced multi-stage treatment process featuring ozonation and biological activated carbon filtration (O3/BAF), ultrafiltration (UF), granular activated carbon filtration (GAC) and ultraviolet light with advanced oxidation (UV AOP), supported by advanced monitoring technologies. While these processes have been studied at facilities across the United States and abroad, pureALTA represents an emerging and promising approach for Florida.
Traditional treatment systems often rely on reverse osmosis (RO), which consumes high levels of energy and produces a concentrated waste byproduct requiring disposal. To address these challenges, pureALTA tests the O3/BAF process as an alternative. This technology uses less energy, does not create a waste stream and has demonstrated strong performance in removing the same trace organic compounds targeted by RO systems.
During testing, purified water is blended with reclaimed water from the Altamonte Springs Water Reclamation Facility and reused for irrigation throughout the community’s existing reclaimed water system. In the future, the technology could lead to a full-scale operation capable of supplementing drinking water needs by up to 5 percent.
pureALTA is co-funded with the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) through its REDI Community & Innovative Cost-Share program, which contributed 50 percent of the project’s $1 million construction cost. It is one of only two potable reuse projects supported under this program.
The project has earned international recognition for excellence and innovation, receiving the 2018 Market-Changing Water Technology Award from the International Water Association in Tokyo, Japan. It was the only U.S. pilot honored. pureALTA also received the WateReuse Innovative Project of the Year award at the 2017 national water reuse conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
