City of Houston

Year Submitted: 2008

Process: Water Treatment

Industry: Government Agency-Includes Military

Wastes Reduced: Blue-green algae and related taste and odor issues

Location: Houston, TX 77002 TX

No. of employees: 1000

Contact: Dannelle Belhateche

Phone: 713-837-0847

Description:

The Northeast Water Purification Plant (NEWPP) suffered from serious summer and winter taste and odor problems resulting from chronic blue-green algae blooms producing MIB (2-methylisoboneol) and geosmin, and possible elevated manganese and sulfide levels in the reservoir's bottom waters. The goal here was a partial lake solution providing a 30-day supply of good water quality ahead of the NEWPP intake.

P2 Application:

In  April 2006, twenty (20) Solar Bee SB10000v12 solar-powered, long-distance circulation units were installed in 700 acres of Lake Houston near the intake of the NEWPP. The 700-acre coverage reflects a 30-day water supply.

• Total Cost Savings: $500,000.00

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

System Overview and Reservoir: Lake Houston, constructed in 1954, is approximately 11,800 surface acres, with a maximum depth of 50 ft, an average depth is 11 ft, and a current capacity of about 130,000 acre-feet. The water intake pipe to the Northeast Water Purification Plant (NEWPP) is located 15 ft below the lake's surface. The capacity of the NEWPP is 80 MGD, with an average daily flow rate of 25 MGD.

Source: Clean Texas