| The combination of population growth and severe droughts have imposed a major burden on New York City's water collection system. Since pollution control measures require the treatment of wastewater to restore it to a quality so it may be reused, treated wastewater can be considered an additional water resource. Water produced by a wastewater biological purification plant may be suitable for supply to the public after dilution and self-purification by the rivers, lakes, and reservoirs in the Croton and Catskill/Delaware Watershed Areas. Alternatively, wastewater from a biological purification plant may be redistributed directly to the water users of New York City if its quality can be improved by using POE water treatment systems. Considering treated wastewater as a water resource requires a comprehensive plan coordinating and optimizing the various treatment processes and ultimate downstream use. This thesis reviews the wide variety of water treatment processes and proposes some approaches to applying them to New York City's current and future needs. |
