Integrating Online Biological Monitoring and Heat Recovery to Improve Performance and Viability of Water Reuse in Small Systems
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 12:45 PM to 2:15 PM · 1 hr. 30 min. (US/Central)
New Orleans Convention Center
Technology Spotlight
Hall H Booth 7249
Information
Small water reuse systems are increasingly deployed to improve water resiliency in urban environments and resource-constrained communities. However, broader adoption has been limited by perceived challenges associated with process reliability, regulatory compliance, and lifecycle cost. This presentation examines how integrating online biological monitoring with wastewater heat recovery can improve system performance, reduce operational burden, and enhance the economic viability of water reuse in small systems.
Online ATP-based monitoring provides a rapid, automated method to quantify total biological activity in treated water, supplementing conventional culture-based methods that are time-intensive and may delay operational response. In a distributed reuse application, an online analyzer was deployed downstream of treatment and disinfection processes to continuously monitor dissolved, cellular, and total ATP concentrations. The system enabled multiple measurements per day with automated sample collection and analysis, providing near real-time insight into water quality conditions.
Results demonstrated that ATP monitoring can serve as a reliable surrogate indicator for key water quality parameters and treatment performance. Correlation with conventional laboratory metrics, including suspended solids, turbidity, and microbial indicators, supports its use for early detection of process upsets, membrane integrity issues, and biological regrowth within storage and distribution systems. Remote monitoring and automated alerts allow operators to implement preventative or corrective actions quickly, reducing reliance on labor-intensive sampling and improving overall system management.
In parallel, small systems offer an opportunity to recover thermal energy from wastewater streams that would otherwise be lost. By incorporating heat exchangers and heat pumps into the treatment and storage process, thermal energy can be captured and reused for onsite heating or other energy demands. This integration improves overall system efficiency and can offset operating costs associated with advanced treatment processes, which have historically limited adoption of reuse in smaller-scale applications.
The combined application of real-time biological monitoring and energy recovery enables a more resilient, automated, and cost-effective treatment approach for small systems. These advancements support regulatory compliance, improve public health protection, and reduce operating complexity, key factors for successful deployment in small systems and disadvantaged communities. By lowering both technical and economic barriers, integrated monitoring and energy strategies can increase the viability, scalability, and long-term sustainability of water reuse across a broader range of applications.
Online ATP-based monitoring provides a rapid, automated method to quantify total biological activity in treated water, supplementing conventional culture-based methods that are time-intensive and may delay operational response. In a distributed reuse application, an online analyzer was deployed downstream of treatment and disinfection processes to continuously monitor dissolved, cellular, and total ATP concentrations. The system enabled multiple measurements per day with automated sample collection and analysis, providing near real-time insight into water quality conditions.
Results demonstrated that ATP monitoring can serve as a reliable surrogate indicator for key water quality parameters and treatment performance. Correlation with conventional laboratory metrics, including suspended solids, turbidity, and microbial indicators, supports its use for early detection of process upsets, membrane integrity issues, and biological regrowth within storage and distribution systems. Remote monitoring and automated alerts allow operators to implement preventative or corrective actions quickly, reducing reliance on labor-intensive sampling and improving overall system management.
In parallel, small systems offer an opportunity to recover thermal energy from wastewater streams that would otherwise be lost. By incorporating heat exchangers and heat pumps into the treatment and storage process, thermal energy can be captured and reused for onsite heating or other energy demands. This integration improves overall system efficiency and can offset operating costs associated with advanced treatment processes, which have historically limited adoption of reuse in smaller-scale applications.
The combined application of real-time biological monitoring and energy recovery enables a more resilient, automated, and cost-effective treatment approach for small systems. These advancements support regulatory compliance, improve public health protection, and reduce operating complexity, key factors for successful deployment in small systems and disadvantaged communities. By lowering both technical and economic barriers, integrated monitoring and energy strategies can increase the viability, scalability, and long-term sustainability of water reuse across a broader range of applications.