Coleman Engineering prepared a feasibility study report for the City of Fort Bragg to evaluate the use of brackish water reverse osmosis (RO) treatment to supplement its drinking water supply. Through a series of technical memoranda that were combined into the final study report, the study evaluated and detailed:
Desalinationsystem design criteria and potential facility sizing.
Raw water sources and facility siting considerations.
Regulatory and permitting issues and strategies.
Construction and operating costs.
Primary considerations were brine concentrate disposal methods and location; raw water quality relative to total suspended solids TSS; potential to site the RO plant at the City’s water treatment plant or the former Georgia Pacific Mill Site to reduce capital and operating costs; sizing the facility sizing to be consistent with the City’s Urban Water Management Plan and General Plan to avoid inducing growth; local / political support for a new water supply; potential for opposition / litigation; avoidance of sensitive resources (wetlands, cultural resources); and the likely required form of environmental documentation and permitting.