ecomagination

In arid climates like the American Southwest, the ability to reuse water is vital. The City of Tempe, Arizona, recently improved its reuse capabilities dramatically in collaboration with GE Water & Process Technologies. Expansion of the city’s water reclamation program allows Tempe to reuse an additional 2.5 billion gallons of water per year for commercial and industrial applications, as well as aquifer storage.

By upgrading to GE’s ecomagination ZeeWeed™ Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technology, Tempe's Kyrene Water Reclamation Facility was able to boost its productivity. Upon doubling its water recycling capabilities from 4.5 million to 9 million gallons of water each day — with a peak flow of 11.7 million gallons — the facility became one of the largest MBR plants in North America today.

“This outstanding project is an example of a growing trend to turn wastewater into a valuable new resource, particularly in areas where water supplies are severely limited,” said Yuvbir Singh, GE Water’s general manager for the ultrafiltration, membrane bioreactor and ABMet product lines. “GE’s ZeeWeed® MBR technology enabled the City of Tempe to double its water recycling capabilities without expanding plant footprint. Most people in the densely populated city don’t even know the plant is there, thanks to its compact design and quiet, low odor operation.”

That reclaimed water now plays a critical role in Tempe’s long-term water management strategy. High-quality, treated effluent is used for non-potable applications, including cooling at a major power plant and irrigation at a municipal golf course. The city also injects the reclaimed water into local aquifers, earning aquifer storage credits that can be used to access additional water supplies during times of drought. Reclaimed water may even be used to refill evaporation-stricken Tempe Town Lake, the city’s artificial recreational body of water.

GE’s ecomagination business strategies helped Tempe turn a trend to reuse wastewater into a valuable resource that is helping to meet the city’s water demands.