Groundwater treatment at Well 34: Monte Vista Water District (MVWD) has begun operation of its new nitrate treatment plant at Well 34 in Montclair, California, using two Envirogen SimPACK Regenerable Ion Exchange (IX) systems to remove nitrate from groundwater. Together, the two systems provide an uninterrupted potable water supply from the well.
Constructed in 2011, Well 34 was inactivated in 2018 due to groundwater pollution largely associated with industrial waste and historical farming practices. Nitrate levels exceeded the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for drinking water at 14 milligrams per liter (mg/L) of nitrate-nitrogen, with the state maximum established at 10 mg/L.
STRENGTHENING MONTE VISTA’S LOCAL WATER SUPPLY
The return of Well 34 to active service represents a prominent addition to MVWD’s overall water supply portfolio and forms part of the district’s broader long-term planning to diversify water sources and reduce reliance on variable quantities of imported water.
MVWD Chief Operating Officer, Mr. John Hughes, states:
“The plant plays an important role in our water supply and helps us maintain reliable drinking water service, particularly during periods of drought and uncertainty with imported supplies. State Water Project allocations have varied significantly in recent years. In response, the district has focused on strengthening local water sources, including expanding the use of groundwater.
Envirogen’s solution comprises two containerized SimPACKs, which treat 2000 GPM (gallons per minute) of well water to reduce nitrate-N levels to at least 80% of the MCL (obtaining 8 mg/L at the effluent). With the start-up and commissioning of the nitrate treatment plant, the SimPACK units are producing a consistent effluent water quality that meets the potable water requirements necessary for the reinstatement of Well 34 into full operation.
Dr. Todd Webster, Vice President, Envirogen, states,
“The severity of droughts suffered by California means that water utilities like Monte Vista Water District are developing creative solutions for the provision of potable water. We at Envirogen are pleased to be playing a role in that with the SimPACK process, which is an efficient, reliable, and robust treatment technology with the lowest life-cycle treatment costs. These SimPACK systems will help to ensure an uninterrupted potable water supply during water shortages.
The Envirogen solution comprises:
- Pre-filtration: Envirogen FluxFlo bag filters and bag filter housings to remove total suspended solids (TSS) greater than 5 microns.
- IX treatment: Two SimPACK regenerable IX treatment vessels housed inside engineered containers to protect against weather and tampering.
- Regeneration system: Fully automated and controlled via a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), utilizing Envirogen SimPACK control logic to minimize waste rates and salt consumption.
RETURNING WELL 34 TO ACTIVE SERVICE
Hughes comments:
“Bringing this nitrate treatment plant online is an important step for the district. It allows us to treat groundwater effectively and return this source to active use. The SimPACK system provides a reliable and efficient treatment approach that supports consistent water quality. This project also supports our ongoing efforts to improve system reliability and make better use of available groundwater resources as part of our long-term supply planning.
The Envirogen SimPACK ion exchange system was delivered under a tight schedule, with the permitting and commissioning process running efficiently thanks to strong collaboration between the district and Envirogen staff.
With Envirogen’s local presence, MVWD and Envirogen continue to collaborate on the operation of the Well 34 plant, ensuring that MVWD staff have any critical technical support required.
NITRATE TREATMENT AT MONTE VISTA WELL 34
The Monte Vista installation demonstrates how regenerable ion exchange can help water utilities return groundwater sources affected by nitrate to active potable water service.
At Well 34, two containerized Envirogen SimPACK systems treat 2,000 GPM of groundwater. Automated regeneration and system controls support continuous treatment while helping to minimize salt consumption and waste generation.
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FEATURED BY AWWA OPFLOW
The wider Monte Vista Water District Well 34 groundwater treatment project has also been featured in the American Water Works Association’s Opflow magazine.
While Envirogen’s project focuses on nitrate removal using SimPACK regenerable ion exchange, the Opflow feature looks at the wider Well 34 treatment approach and the technologies used to help return this important groundwater source to service.
PLANNING A GROUNDWATER TREATMENT PROJECT?
Envirogen works with water utilities to design and deliver treatment solutions for nitrate and other groundwater contaminants, from technology selection and system design through commissioning and long-term support.
Talk to our water treatment team