Water Reuse Technology arrives at WEST
In July 2020, technology from the Pima County mobile water purification truck, also known as the “beer truck”, was moved into the WEST Center high-bay for continued use in water purification research.
The system was originally built as a full direct potable reuse (DPR) demo and mounted in a trailer for easy transport. Developed by a team from multiple organizations – including Pima County, Tucson Water, the University of Arizona, and others – the treatment train produces safe, high-quality potable water through an advanced treatment process. The project’s intent was to introduce potable water reuse as a viable source of additional water supply. It received Arizona’s first potable reuse permit and set out on an ambitious journey to demonstrate the potential of DPR throughout the state and beyond.
During its initial runs, the treatment train produced 94,000 gallons of water, 22,000 bottles of AZ Pure Water, and 99,000 pints of high purity craft beer. It was the winner of the 2016 New Arizona Prize: Water Innovation Challenge, won the WaterNow Alliance technical assistance prize, and captured the AZ WateReuse Project of the Year Award at the Annual Symposium in July 2018.
Purification process flow diagram.
The technology now housed at WEST includes Ultrafiltration (UF), Reverse Osmosis (RO), Advanced Oxidation (UV/H2O2), and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) components/capabilities.
With the equipment already on a short list for a Water Research Foundation (WRF) Pilot to test non-RO treatment trains, it looks poised to jump directly into its second act as research support at the University of Arizona WEST Center.
