Many municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) or water and resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) are striving to achieve energy self-sufficiency in their process operations, while simultaneously complying with permit requirements. Currently, less than 10% of U.S. WWTPs or WRRFs produce energy for beneficial use and only a handful of these plants are actually energy self-sufficient. This research seeks to assess the current state-of-knowledge on energy-positive WWTPs or WRRFs, based on the treatment train classification named as “Basic”, “Moderate”, and “Advanced”. A simple quantitative mass-balance model (SQMM) is developed to evaluate the treatment train or technology classification in terms of removal and recovery of carbon-nutrient-energy components of municipal wastewater(s). The goal of this research is to identify potential challenges in the selection and implementation of resource and energy recovery process configurations and, propose practically feasible, energy-positive WWTP process configurations. Currently, energy recovery through biogas production, and aeration energy optimization are the two main approaches to achieve energy self-sufficiency. The main alternative strategy to enhance energy recovery in the near future is by co-digestion of wastewater biosolids and locally available biodegradable wastes. A hypothetical (but practically feasible) WWTP or WRRF configuration proposed in this work represents an alternative energy self-sufficient wastewater process train for future designs. A detailed quantitative analysis will be developed to recommend the ways in which WTTPs or WRRFs could become energy-positive and achieve maximum resource recovery.

Lake Champlain is a valuable resource in the state of Vermont. More than 600,000 people live in the Lake Champlain basin and millions visit each year to enjoy its waters and other natural and historic features. Not only recognized as the sixth (6^th) largest freshwater lake in the United States, Lake Champlain’s watershed has been designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve. Excess phosphorus from a variety of sources has impaired the water quality of Lake Champlain for many years. The leading source of phosphorus is agriculture (41%), followed by river instability (21%), and forestland (16%). In 2002, Vermont prepared a plan to reduce phosphorus loadings by developing a total maximum daily load (TMDL). A TMDL places a cap on the maximum amount of phosphorus that is allowed to enter the lake and meet Vermont's water quality standards. EPA disapproved the Vermont 2002 Lake Champlain Phosphorus TMDL in 2011. On June 17, 2016, EPA established a new phosphorus TMDL for the twelve (12) Vermont segments of Lake Champlain. The TMDL was developed in collaboration with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (VAAFM). This paper presents background information on the TMDL and a critical analysis of the TMDL.

The public water systems (PWSs) across the U.S. utilize either groundwater, surface water, or groundwater under the direct influence of surface water (GWUDI) resource, treating the source-water to applicable federal primary and secondary drinking water regulatory requirements and standards and, thus, distributing to residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial users. The PWSs in the U.S. are required by federal requirements—based on 40 CFR Part 141, Subpart O—to provide the annual water quality reports, consumer confidence reports (CCRs), to their customers. The source water quality, selected water treatment train, and the product drinking or potable water quality at distribution are critical elements of water supply, at all times. This presentation is focused and included (as feasible): a review of the Year 2016 CCRs on drinking water production and distribution in the fifty-three (53) capital cities of U.S. and territories and, a discussion of the data reported on source-water and product water quality parameters. The current presentation and reporting of CCRs have been observed to be not uniform and comprehensive. A recommendation is made toward preparing and providing the descriptions and data in the CCRs, as per the applicable requirements, in a uniform manner for the comprehensive understanding of stakeholders.