City of Pembroke Pines
Location: Pembroke Pines, FL
Groundwater under the hydrologic influence of the Florida Everglades produces water with high levels of total organic carbon (TOC) and color. Municipalities in South Florida have traditionally used high levels of chlorine to oxidize organic matter to remove it from drinking water. This aggressive chlorinating is known to cause the formation of disinfection by-products such as trihalomethane and haloacetic acid. It was proposed that the removal of organic matter using strong base anion exchange was a relatively low cost solution to the TOC and color problem at Pembroke Pines.
The treatment process consists of four 12’ diameter ion exchange vessels containing 45” of strong base anion exchange resin and support gravel. Water is pumped directly from the wells through the Organix™ ion exchange system to storage and the distribution system.
The ion exchange vessels were designed with a unique domed plate underdrain design, which uniformly distributes flow and allows for painting below the underdrain. Uniform flow reduces head loss across the underdrain system and system-operating pressure. The ability to paint below the underdrain prevents corrosion and ultimately extends vessel life. Tonka Water’s extensive experience with ion exchange treatment technology allowed for a fully optimized system where resin capacity is closely matched with control of brining and regeneration of the media. This allows for the reduction of brine waste and backwash water.
The Tonka Water treatment process has been highly efficient in delivering high quality water as indicated below.
Finished Water | |
Color removal | 95% |
TOC removal | 67% |
THM reduction | 67% |