College of Engineering Unit:
Exploring the use of reclaimed wastewater for use in Local Bounti Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) facilities. The use of secondary reclaimed wastewater, that would otherwise be pumped into the Columbia River, as a water source for the evaporative cooling process in the CEA facility, is proposed as a means of reducing the use of municipal fresh water. A Pasco, WA, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) nearby one local bounty facility will provide information required for the investigation of this proposal.
During the summer, evaporative cooling accounts for about one half of all water demand in Local Bounti's CEA facilities. This water will be processed with a reverse osmosis (RO) system which provides greater justification for this possible change in water source. The use of secondary wastewater instead of municipal fresh water will require thorough investigation of the wastewater source and treatment processes that may need to be implemented in the CEA facility.