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March 24, 2008

AMWA gets update on water re-use study

By Lauren Ricks

The Athens Municipal Water Authority last week received an update on a study aimed to determine if Athens wastewater can be cleansed and reused in Lake Athens.

The purpose of the study is to find a way to supplement water in Lake Athens. “If successful, it will be released into the streams above Lake Athens,” Athens Director of Utilities Don Herriage said.

Engineers said it is too premature to make recommendations at this point.

At the end of the study, engineers will have a “how-to” manual on the process for other cities to use.

“The end product is going to be a document that lays out the process” of cleansing wastewater, said Stephanie Griffin, a project manager with Freese and Nichols — which is helping conduct the study.

A feasibility study began in the fall of 2007. The study is being led by engineering companies Alan Plummer Inc. and Freese and Nichols Inc. — both based in Fort Worth. The study is in the beginning stages. “We are analyzing the water quality of the lake and what is discharged from the treatment plant,” Griffin said.

The companies are consultants of state funded Region C Water Planning Group.

Region C was set up by the state to study and conserve water use. The region covers 16 counties in Northcentral Texas.

The Texas Water Development Board is paying for part of the study with matching funds from the Athens Municipal Water Authority (AMWA).

The AMWA approached Region C about two years ago requesting that it conduct the study. The organization was looking for “special studies” to conduct, according to Griffin. Thomas C. Gooch, vice president of Freese and Nichols, said the studies involved are water conservation and water reuse projects.

If engineers find the process works, the city may consider using it. The West Wastewater Treatment Plant and the North Wastewater Treatment Plant of Athens would be “tied to it,” according to Herriage.

The water would be run through a pipeline from the treatment centers to wetlands which have been constructed for the purpose of cleaning the water.

Depending on the placement of the wetlands there might be a pipeline run to the Lake. The engineers have discussed three possible areas for the wetlands. These areas are in the upper drainage area of Lake Athens, according to Herriage.

The companies plan to have a draft report at the end of the year and at that time the city will discuss its options.

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