Direct Potable Reuse Systems Risk Analysis

Abstract

Drinking water is vital for the functioning of society; hence, municipalities are tasked with providing and exploring sources for adequate potable water. Increasing population and changes in climate have strained water supplies around the world, leaving more communities to explore alternative means of supplying potable water beyond the traditional sources. One of these alternatives is Direct Potable Reuse, or DPR, which is a closed system, recycling wastewater from homes and its community, cleaning the water, and reintroducing it back into the potable water supply. Since DPR systems are new, it is important to ensure that a DPR system is capable to perform with a high level of reliability. This project analyzes DPR advanced water treatment systems to check the mechanical reliability of the system and its components. Several types of methodologies are used to model and predict the system's risk behavior, such as Expert Judgement, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, and Event Trees Analysis. Through analysis of the advanced water treatment process, the more vulnerable or higher liability components and processes can be identified. The purpose of this analysis is to reduce risk in future iterations of water treatment facilities, coupled with suggested risk mitigation strategies developed through the detailing and analysis of the treatment processes. The information provided by this project may be useful to decision makers when designing and implementing new DPR systems, and when maintaining and improving existing DPR systems.