This paper discusses the various treatment anddisposal alternatives for phosphoric acid clean-in-place (CIP) waste from microfiltration/ultrafiltration (MF/UF) utilities.The waste streams generated in MF/UF membrane systems are a concern to utilities that do not haveavailable options for disposal. Typical waste streams from MF/UF utilities include spent backwash(BW), maintenance wash (MW) and CIP waste streams. Since some water utilities donot have access to a sewer line or are not near a wastewater facility, their only disposal option isrecycling or further treatment of these waste streams. Treatment and subsequent recycle of wastestreams generated by membrane filtration processes requires coordination between the regulatoryagency, the utility, and the design engineers. Equally important, potential impacts on primary treatmentprocess must be considered if recycling of waste is selected.The CIP waste stream is generally the most problematic if disposal is unavailable, because of the highconcentration chemical stream. This paper discusses the nature of phosphoric acid CIP waste, whileconsidering volume and impacts of the treatment followed by recycling within the water treatment plant(WTP) or disposal. In addition, an evaluation of experimental treatment and recycle of treatedphosphoric acid CIP waste is discussed. Includes reference, figure.
