Exploratory Disposal and Reuse Feasibility Analysis of Winter Maintenance Wash Water

The Ohio Department of Transportation has more than 60 facilities without sewer access generating approximately 19 million gallons of winter maintenance wash water. Off-site disposal is costly, creating the need for sustainable management strategies. The objective of this study was to conduct an exp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2016-02, Vol.11 (2), p.e0149500-e0149500
Main Authors: Ullinger, Heather L, Kennedy, Marla J, Schneider, 4th, William H, Miller, Christopher M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biology and Life Sciences
Carbon - chemistry
Constituents
Copper
Copper - analysis
Earth Sciences
Emissions
Environmental chemistry
Feasibility studies
Garages
Government agencies
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Literature reviews
Management
Medicine and Health Sciences
Methods
Motor Vehicles
Ohio
People and places
pH effects
Physical Sciences
Recycling
Reuse
Saline water
Sampling
Seasons
Sewer maintenance
Stormwater
Studies
Sustainable development
Transportation
Wash water
Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods
Waste Water - chemistry
Water management
Water Quality
Water treatment
Winter
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Summary:The Ohio Department of Transportation has more than 60 facilities without sewer access generating approximately 19 million gallons of winter maintenance wash water. Off-site disposal is costly, creating the need for sustainable management strategies. The objective of this study was to conduct an exploratory feasibility analysis to assess wash water disposal and potential reuse as brine. Based on a comprehensive literature review and relevant environmental chemistry, a sampling protocol consisting of 31 water quality constituents was utilized for monthly sampling at three geographically distinct Ohio Department of Transportation garages during the winter of 2012. Results were compared to local disposal and reuse guidance limits. Three constituents, including a maximum copper concentration of 858 ppb, exceeded disposal limits, and many constituents also failed to meet reuse limits. Some concentrations were orders of magnitude higher than reuse limits and suggest pre-treatment would be necessary if wash water were reused as brine. These water quality results, in conjunction with copper chemical equilibrium modeling, show pH and dissolved carbon both significantly impact the total dissolved copper concentration and should be measured to assess reuse potential. The sampling protocol and specific obstacles highlighted in this paper aid in the future development of sustainable wash water management strategies.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0149500