PUREWater Westminster

Cleaning wastewater to recharge our reservoirs and ensure ample drinking water

Project Lead: Dr. Allen P. Davis

The City of Westminster, Maryland faces population growth, drought, and associated water shortages, which challenges its ability to provide a sustainable water supply to its citizens. The City plans to augment its natural water supply with an indirect potable reuse facility to further purify effluent from the Westminster Wastewater Treatment Plant. This purified water will be discharged to the Cranberry Reservoir and serve as a supply for potable water. 

The PUREWater Westminster project has constructed and evaluated a pilot advanced water treatment plant using Ultrafiltration (UF), Reverse Osmosis (RO), Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), Ultraviolet Disinfection (UV), and Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP).

The Maryland FEWture team, including Allen P. Davis in Civil & Environmental Engineering and Amy R. Sapkota, Amir Sapkota, and Leena Malayil in the School of Public Health, have partnered with the City and other collaborators: WATEK® Engineering Corporation for engineering and design services, and Katz & Associates of California for public outreach. The Maryland FEWture team assists with documenting the treatment efficacy of the pilot system while addressing key research questions related to public health protection, considerations for microbial constituents, and the presence of regulated and unregulated compounds.

Maryland FEWture team members work to protect public health and the health of the reservoir. Our team collects water samples from various points in the pilot treatment system. They measure: 

• bacterial indicator organisms and other pathogens
• pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and per- & polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
• phosphorus, chromium, nickel, and arsenic