WO2006022604A1

WO2006022604A1 - Golf course irrigation water monitoring and treatment system

Info

Publication number: WO2006022604A1
Application number: PCT/US2003/014896
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter L. Rosen; Robert D. Hodges
Original assignee: Rosen Peter L
Priority date: 2003-05-07
Filing date: 2003-05-07
Publication date: 2006-03-02

Abstract

The invention is a process for irrigation of a golf course including monitoring reclaimed water, and treating it when necessary to avoid harmful effects on plant life. The reclaimed water is tested with monitors (5, 7, 9, 11, 23, 25, 27, 29) for parameters including total organic compounds, pH, hardness, alkalinity, conductivity, residual chlorine and sodium. Results are fed to a computerized data handling system (13) for storage and analysis. Alarms (15) are set off and/or treatment occurs when deviations occur. Treatment includes a dechloriantion system (17) and an oxidation system (19).

Description

GOLF COURSE IRRIGATION WATER MONITORING AND

TREATMENT SYSTEM (Attorney Docket No. MKR-102PCT)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to irrigation of man-made landscaped

and/or agricultural areas, such as parklands, playing fields, farmland for

produce or flowers, and especially for golf courses. It is particularly

useful for these areas when using reclaimed water. More specifically, the

invention is a process for monitoring and treating reclaimed water to use

reclaimed water efficiently and without harmful effects from undesirable

constituents for the aforesaid irrigation purposes. It includes monitoring

numerous water quality characteristics and when predetermined

acceptable parameter ranges see deviations, signaling alarms and/or

treating the undesirable condition with dechlorination. It also includes an

oxidation system for continuous or continual operation.

2. Information Disclosure Statement

-2- The following patents are representative of the state of the art with

respect to various teachings relating to water treatment:

United States patent number 6,214,607 describes a new method of

treating water to remove perchlorate contaminant is disclosed. Water is

fed through a filter bed containing perchlorate-reducing microorganisms.

The microorganisms reduce the perchlorate, thereby decontaminating the

water. An oxidizable substrate serves as an electron donor to the

microorganisms. The invention results in safe to undetectable levels of

perchlorate in the treated water.

United States Patent number 6,200,466 describes a reactor system for

decontamination of water by photolytic oxidation utilizing near

blackbody radiation, the system comprising (1) a reaction chamber

defining an internal space with an inlet and an outlet; and (2) a

broadband radiator for generating radiant energy with wavelengths

between about 150 nm and about 3um, the broadband radiator disposed

within the reaction chamber, such that a sufficient dosage of broadband

-3- radiation irradiates the contaminants and/or the oxidant within the

internal space of the reaction chamber thereby causing photolytic

oxidation of the contaminants by direct action of the radiation on the

contaminants to break chemical bonds by sustaining a free radical chain

reaction of oxidizing components, thus breaking down the contaminants

by way of atomic abstraction of the components of the contaminants. In

preferred embodiments, at least a portion of the radiant energy is

generated in a pulsed node, such as between about 1 and 500 pulses per

second. In preferred embodiments, the broadband radiator generates

radiant energy at a rate of between about 1 kW and about 10 MN., and

the resultant dosage rate of broadband radiation is between 1 joule/cm2.

In preferred embodiments, the radiant energy is produced by at least one

gas filled flashlamp having a gas plasma temperature of between about

9,500 K and about 20,000 K.

United States Patent number 6,136,186 describes a method and

apparatus for mineralizing organic contaminants in water or air provides

-4- photochemical oxidation in a two-phase boundary system formed in the

pores of a TiO2 membrane in a photocatalytic reactor. In the three-phase

system, gaseous (liquid) oxidant, liquid (gaseous) contaminant, and solid

semiconductor photocatalyst meet and engage in an efficient oxidation

reaction, The porous membrane has pores which have a region wherein

the meniscus of the liquid varies from the molecular diameter if water to

the of a capillary tube resulting in a diffusing layer that is several orders

of magnitude smaller than the closest known reactors. The photocatalytic

reactor operates effectively at temperature and low pressures. A packed-

bed photocatalyst coated particles is also provided.

United States Patent number 6,132,138 describes a gray water

recycling invention that utilizes filtered gray water for maintaining

constant moisture levels in building foundations and for other irrigation

uses. It allows for the mixture of pesticides with a gray water stream

injected under a building in order to treat for insects. Additionally,

pesticides, fungicides or fertilizers can be injected into a gray water

-5- stream prior to its application in landscape irrigating. This invention has

application in single residence and fill development real estate settings.

United States Patent number 6,117,335 describes a reactor system for

decontamination of water by photolytic oxidation utilizing near

blackbody radiation, the system comprising (1) a reaction chamber

defining an internal space with an inlet and an outlet; and (2) a

broadband radiator for generating radiant energy with wavelengths

between 150 nm and about 3 μm, the broadband radiator disposed within

the reaction chamber, such that a sufficient dosage of broadband

radiation irradiates the contaminants and/or the oxidant within the

internal space of the reaction chamber thereby causing photolytic

oxidation of the contaminants by way of atomic abstraction of the

components of the contaminants. In preferred embodiments, at least a

portion of the radiant energy is generated in a pulsed mood, such as

between 1 and about 500 pulses per second. In preferred embodiments,

the broadband radiator generates radiant energy at a rate of between

-6- about 1 kW and about 10 MW., and the resultant dosage rate of

broadband radiation is between 1 joule/cm² and about 5000 joules/cm².

In preferred embodiments, the radiant energy is produced by at least one

gas filled flashlamp having a gas plasma temperature of between 9,500°

K. and about 20,000⁰ K.

United States Patent number 5,975,800 relates to a method for

treating groundwater in situ in rock or soil. An elongate permeable

upgradient zone and an elongate permeable downgradient zone, each in

hydraulic communication with a permeable subsurface treatment zone

and having a major axis parallel to a non-zero component of the general

flow direction, are provided in the subsurface by any of a number of

construction methods. The upgradient zone, downgradient zone, and

treatment zone are situated within the subsurface medium and have

permeabilities substantially greater than the adjacent subsurface

medium's permeability. Groundwater is allowed to move from the

subsurface medium adjacent to the upgradient zone into the upgradient

-7- zone, where the groundwater refracts and moves to a treatment zone by

an in situ treatment process, such as a process employing air sparging,

sorption or reaction with zero-valent iron, the groundwater moves into,

through and out of the downgradient zone into the subsurface medium

adjacent to the downgradient zone. The method does not require

pumping. A method for directing groundwater around a particular

location to prevent contamination of the groundwater by a contaminant

located at the particular location, to prevent migration of a contaminant

located at a particular location, to reduce the flow velocity of

groundwater in the particular location, or to increase the residence time

in an in situ treatment center located downgradient from the particular

location is also disclosed.

United States Patent number 5,958,241 describes a method and a

system for the treatment of organic hazardous wastes from plant waste

and associated wastewater treatment processes, whereby the waste is

either introduced directly, or continuously separated from wastewater,

-8- and routed to a bioreactor, and whereby no organic solids are generated

for further offsite disposal. The system disclosed includes a bioreactor,

containing selected bacteria, untreated sludges, and recirculated biomass,

and a liquid/solid separator allowing water to be utilized elsewhere in the

system and returning solids to the bioreactor. The biodegradation

process, initiated continuously, converts hazardous organic constituents

in waste stream and wastewater sludges from plant operations to inert

materials, for extensive periods of operation, without the need for solids

removal, external solids treatment or disposal.

United States Patent number 5,893,975 treats a variety of flowing

wastewater effluents, provides pre-treatment clog-reducing wastewater

sludge disintegration, and adds pretreatment nutrients to wastewater so

as to enhance microbial growth therein for improving the effectiveness

and efficiency of wastewater treatment. The constructed wetland

includes a wastewater treatment system having a flow intake, a pre¬

treatment nutrient addition chamber, and a wastewater flow divider. The

-9- flow divider further has a compressed air aerator in the bottom thereof.

The constructed wetland includes one or more treatment cells having a

soil, fine stone, organic and/or synthetic material substrate cap covering

a further substrate media accommodating the wastewater to be treated.

The substrate cap is populated by natural plants having root systems

extend from the substrate downward into the wastewater being treated,

and the roots serve to physically and/or biologically mediate the removal

of undesirable components from the wastewater. The constructed

wetland includes a treated water discharge conduit for discharging the

flowing water into a desired after treatment water utilization modality,

such as to discharge to the ground or to a body of water.

United States Patent number 5,863,433 relates to the design and

operation of paired subsurface flow constructed wetlands in which

significant improvements in wastewater treatment are possible. These

improvements are brought about by coupling paired subsurface flow

wetlands and using reciprocation, whereby adjacent cells are sequentially

-10- and recurrently drained and filled using either gravity, mechanical

pumps, U-tube air-lifts and/or a combination thereof. This fill and drain

technique turns the entire wetland area into a biological reactor,

complete with anoxic, anaerobic environments. The frequency, depth

and duration of the fill and drain cycle can be adjusted to control redox

conditions for specific biologically mediated reactions including, but not

limited to, nitrification, denitrification, sulfate reduction, and

methanogenesis. Emissions of noxious gases such as hydrogen sulfide

and methane can be minimized. Furthermore, by allowing cells to fill to

above the level of the substrate by approximately 2 to 4 inches on the fill

cycle, it is possible to enhance algae photosynthesis, increase pH, and

facilitate photo-oxidative reactions.

United States Patent number 5,792,336 describes a two stages

electrocatalytic method for oxidative-purification of wastewater from

soluble substances, such as toxic chemical admixtures difficult of

oxidation, including dye-stuffs, detergents, phenols, cyanides and the

-11- like, which stages inactivate the soluble substances present in the

wastewater in a synergistic fashion and, therefore, are highly efficient,

the method comprising the steps of (a) in a first stage, electrochemically

treating the wastewater in the presence of chlorine ions, such that

chlorine-containing oxidizing agents are formed and at least partially

oxidize the soluble substances in the wastewater; and (b) in a second

stage, catalytically treating the first stage treated wastewater in presence

of a non-chlorine oxidizing agent and an added catalyst, such that

remains of the soluble substances are further oxidized, and such that the

chlorine₍-containing oxidizing agents formed during the first stage are

catalytically reduced; wherein, the first stage and the second stage act

synergistically to purify the wastewater from the soluble substances.

United States Patent No. 4,867,192 describes an automatically

controlled irrigation water pH amendment system and apparatus

associated with golf courses utilizing automatic irrigation system to

irrigate the various species of turf grasses used on fairways, tees, greens

-12- and other areas; being adapted to receive an operator pre-selected

program of desired irrigation water pH value; to monitor the delivered

pH value of the irrigation water and automatically blend into the

irrigation water in the flow circuit between the discharge of the irrigation

pump station pumps and the pH monitoring point the proper amount of

chemical additive to amend-raise or lower-the pH of the delivered

irrigation water. The desideratum is a uniformly blended mixture of

liquid acid or base chemical with irrigation water to maintain a solution

of the water pH value desired by the operator to promote proper

agronomic practice in the maintenance of the turf grasses. This objective

has been found to be obtainable by causing the two liquids to be blended

in the proper ratios through the use of an acid tank, pH sensing probe,

sulfuric acid injector pumps, acid manifold, booster pump, flow velocity

measuring device, and a solid-state electrical programmable controller;

connected to the upstream and downstream ports of an ordinary pressure

-13- sustaining valve or differential pressure orifice device as used in the

discharge line of a golf course pumping station.

Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither

taught nor rendered obvious thereby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a process for the irrigation of man-made

landscaped areas, and especially golf course greenery, utilizing

reclaimed wastewater. In the process, a source or

supply of reclaimed water is procured which is selected from the group

consisting of treated sewage wastewater, untreated sewage wastewater

and natural water supply water containing sewage wastewater. The

reclaimed water is subjected to a plurality of monitors for testing to

obtain a plurality of test results for water quality characteristics,

including: (i) total organic carbon compounds; (ii) pH; (iii) residual

chlorine; (iv) chlorides; and (v) sodium. These monitors are sometimes

referred to as analyzers, and the two terms are used herein

-14- interchangeably. The test results or analyzer results are inputted to a

computerized data handling system for data collection, storage and

analysis and for comparison to predetermined acceptable ranges for each

of the aforesaid water quality characteristics.

Feedback is provided to show any water quality characteristic

deviating from predetermined acceptable ranges that effect signaling

and/or treatment. Feedback is also provided to enable a maintenance

keeper or other grounds personnel or service to determine fertilization

requirements.

The reclaimed water is then passed through a dechlorination

system and an oxidation system (in any order).

The dechlorination system is for treating the reclaimed water with a

dechlorination agent to maintain a level of residual chlorine below a

predetermined maximum of a predetermined acceptable range, and is

activated in response to feedback from the computerized data handling

-15- system when showing deviation from the predetermined acceptable

range for residual chlorine.

The oxidation system is for treating the reclaimed water with an

oxidizing agent to maintain a level of organic compounds below a

predetermined maximum of the predetermined acceptable range. In

essence, the oxidizing system is used to destroy undesirable organics,

including biological organisms, herbicides and pesticides. It is activated

on a continuous or continual basis and could be adjusted by appropriate

personnel in response to feedback from the computerized data handling

system when showing deviation from the predetermined acceptable

range for total organic carbon compounds. In preferred embodiments, it

is run on a continuous basis automatically.

The resulting treated reclaimed water is next used to irrigate a golf

course area, unless there is a deviation from one of the water quality

characteristics being monitored which causes an alarm to signal, in

-16- which cause personnel will shut down the irrigation and take corrective

measures, such as by-pass, treat, hold or recycle.

The predetermined acceptable ranges are set in accordance with safe

use conditions prescribed or desired by the user. In some preferred

embodiments, these characteristic parameters are set within the

following ranges:

(i) for total organic carbon compounds, 0 milligrams per liter to

50 milligrams per liter;

(ii) for residual chlorine, 0 milligrams per liter to 1 milligrams

per liter;

(iii) for pH, 6 to 8;

(iv) for chloride compounds, 0 milligrams per liter to 70

milligrams per liter; and,

(v) for sodium, 0 milligrams per liter to 70 milligrams per

liter.

-17- In some embodiments, the data obtained in the process of the

present invention by the computer from the monitors is utilized to

provide control and assessment of turf and plant fertilizer needs. Also,

the data may be logged and stored to create an historical base and the

data may be reviewed or presented to establish water quality trends.

In some preferred embodiments, the process includes at least one

additional monitor to obtain test results selected from the group

consisting of the following water quality characteristics:

(vi) hardness; (vii) turbidity; (viii) alkalinity; and (ix) conductivity.

In other preferred embodiments, all of these characteristics are

included.

In some preferred embodiments, the process predetermined

acceptable ranges for the following water quality characteristics are set

within the following ranges:

(vi) for hardness, 0 to 200 milligrams of calcium carbonate per liter ;

(vii) for turbidity, 0 to 10 nephelometric turbidity units ;

-18- (viii) for alkalinity, 0 to 200 milligrams per liter total alkalinity; and

(ix) for conductivity, o to 4000 microSiemens per centimeter.

As mentioned, the process of the present invention computerized

data handling system provides feedback to show any water quality

characteristic deviation, and the process includes initiating an alarm

selected from the group consisting of audio alarms, visual alarms and

combinations thereof, when selected characteristic deviations occur.

Thus, the alarm(s) would signal in response to deviations for TOC,

pH, chloride compounds or sodium, and for hardness, alkalinity,

turbidity and conductivity when monitors are included for these

characteristics. For example, the alarm system may include direct contact

alarm signaling to a groundskeeper superintendent or other facility

manager.

hi the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, the

process is one wherein the dechlorination system is a vitamin C

dechlorination system wherein vitamin C agent is fed into the reclaimed

-19- water in response to the computerized data handling system showing a

deviation from the predetermined acceptable range for residual chlorine.

Also, in the most preferred embodiment of the present

invention, the process is one wherein the oxidation system is ozone,

where in ozone is fed into the reclaimed water at the rate established by

the TOC output, hi this embodiment hydrogen peroxide is fed at the

ozone reactor to further promote oxidation.

In some embodiments of the present invention process, a

nitrate monitor is included and preferably, the predetermined acceptable

ranges for nitrate are set within the range of 0 to 100 milligrams per liter

nitrate as nitrogen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention should be more fully understood when the

specification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appended

hereto wherein:

-20- Figures 1 and 2 show schematic diagrams for two embodiments

of the present invention golf course irrigation system; and,

Figure 3 illustrates the required and optional features of the

computerized data handling system used in the present invention golf

course irrigation system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to irrigation of golf course areas to

maintain greenery and plantlife. Fairways, greens and surrounding

plantlife are more efficiently irrigated with reclaimed or recycled water.

Otherwise, irrigation would be prohibitively expensive and would

involve inefficient use of precious potable water. Many country clubs

and public golf courses utilize reclaimed water to irrigate their facilities.

Such reclaimed water is sewage wastewater which has been treated or

untreated (as by negligence, accident or defiance of applicable laws and

ordinances) and may come from a municipal, county or other

government operated or privately operated treatment facility, or may

-21- come from a natural water source, such as a stream, river or other water

source into which treated and/or untreated sewage wastewater has been

dumped. These reclaimed water sources provide essential irrigation

water, but sometimes contain undesirable, harmful components, such as

biologically harmful nematodes, pesticides, fungicides and other

organics, chlorine, excess nitrogen and excessive minerals. These and

other water quality characteristics, such as turbidity, pH, alkalinity and

hardness, may either cause or be indicative of components, which cause

harm and even death to vegetation such as grass and plants. For these

reasons, the present invention has been developed to both treat

undesirable reclaimed water constituents and/or set of alarm(s) to signal

to maintenance to shut down or correct problems before the reclaimed

water is used for irrigation. One critical feature of the present invention

is to collect data and to establish predetermined acceptable ranges of

water quality characteristics within which the reclaimed water must fall

or an alarm or treatment or both will occur. Another critical feature is the

-22- automatic initiation and control of dechlorination and of oxidation in

response to residual chlorine and total organic carbon compound levels,

respectively, being outside of predetermined acceptable ranges. In the

present invention, the process involves the use of monitors, a

computerized data handling system, a dechlorination system and an

oxidation system.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a schematic representation

of one embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 1, reclaimed water

form any one or more of the sources mentioned above is piped into a golf

course facility via piping 3. A pH monitor 5, a total organic carbon

(TOC) monitor 7, a residual chlorine monitor 9 and a sodium monitor 11

are connected to piping 3 for testing/monitoring of those water quality

characteristics. The residual chlorine monitor (analyzer) could be two

different units or a single unit. However, chloride compound water

quality characteristic is used for a shutdown determination, whereas the

active chlorine water quality characteristic is used for an automatic

-23- interactive treatment, i. e. dechlorination. The aforesaid monitors are

electronically connected to computer/data handling system 13 for input

thereto of monitor tests results from the reclaimed water stream of piping

3. Alternatively, these monitors (and others described below) could be

connected to a holding tank, a pond or other natural waterway or other

manmade holding facility, for testing. The details of the functionality of

the computer/data handling system 13 are set forth in conjunction with

Figure 3 below. In general, the computer/data handling system

(CDHS) 13 has three primary objectives: (a) it collects and stores data

and retains predetermined acceptable ranges (criteria) for the data and

compares the data to the criteria; (b) it sets off one or more alarms 15

when the pH, the residual chloride, TOC compounds or the sodium

readings (or other optional water quality characteristics readings

described below) deviate from predetermined criteria, i. e., set ranges,

such as, hypothetically, 0 to 2500 mg/1 or 5 to 7; and (c) it initiates

-24- automatic treatment when the residual chlorine or the TOCs exceed

acceptable criteria.

Thus, piping 3 is connected to dechlorination system 17 and oxidation

system 19 for treatment at the desired times, i. e. as needed, when

determined by the computer/data handling system 13. The CDHS 13

receives the data from the monitors and when the TOC characteristic is

excessive, it initiates an increased feed in the oxidation system 19; when

the residual chlorine is excessive, it initiates the dechlorination system

19. The adjusted (treated) reclaimed water is then sent to a conventional

golf course irrigation system 21, such as automatic sprinklers, etc. As an

extra precaution, residual chlorine monitoring and pH monitoring are

also conducted post-dechlorination and post-oxidation to confirm that

levels remain within acceptable ranges after treatment. If these post-

treatment monitorings show unacceptable results, then adjustments may

be included in the programming, or alarms or shutdowns may be

-25- proscribed, depending upon the facilities, system and risk management

of the user.

Figure 2 shows another present invention system with more options

and preferred details. Here items identical to those shown in Figure 1 are

identically numbered, and, to the extent that they are not further

described her, function as described here conjunction with Figure 1

above. In Figure 2, additional monitors have been included. These are

hardness monitor 23, alkalinity monitor 25, conductivity monitor 27 and

turbidity monitor 29. They are connected to the piping3 for reclaimed

water analysis and, when excessive are alarm initiation water quality

characteristics. All of these monitors, any one of these or any

combination of these could be included within the scope of the present

invent, and Figure 2 represents only one preferred embodiment.

In Figure 2, the dechlorination system is specified as Vitamin C

dechlorination, and this is clearly the preferred dechlorination agent. An

optional holding pond 31 for storage is also shown downstream from the

-26- treatment stage, and upstream from the actual irrigation. In this

embodiment, the reclaimed, monitored and treated, as needed water is

stored until needed.

Referring to Figure 3, the diagram shows the details of the

computerized data handling system 51 , illustrating required functions 53

and optional functions 55.

EXAMPLE

The system of the present invention shown in Figure 2 with the

functions shown in Figure 3 is deployed at a privately owned golf course

utilizing ponded (lagooned) municipal wastewater and storm water

runoff for the reclaimed water. The municipal wastewater undergoes

primary and secondary sludge wastewater treatment before ponding.

The following monitors are included:

(1) TOC Monitor- an OptiQuant (TM of Hach Company) UV

Organic Analyzer, utilizes reagent free ultraviolet probe with

turbidity compensation, translates spectral absorbance coefficient

-27- to three different organic values, chemical oxygen demand

(COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD) and total organic

compounds (TOC). It is turned off and on in a timed sequence by

the CDHS, as are all monitors in this example.

(2) pH Monitor- EC 310 Model from Hach Company, measures full

range from ) 1 to 14.

(3) Hardness Monitor- SP 510 Harness Monitor from Hach

Company, measures hardness expressed as ppm, and as mg

calcium carbonate per liter.

(4) Alkalinity Monitor- APA Alkalinity Process Analyzer from Hach

Company, measures total alkalinity as ppm.

(5) Conductivity Monitor- Model 9782 Conductivity Analyzer from

Honeywell Company, measures micromhos and megohms per

cm.

-28- (6) Turbidity Monitor- Model 1720D Turbidimeter from Hach

Company, measure turbidity in nephelometric turbidity units

(NTU), with a 0 to 100 range and 0.001 resolution.

(7) Chloride compound/active chlorine Monitor- Model CL 17

Chlorine Analyzer from Hach Company, measures free (active)

chlorine and total chlorine content, range of 0 to 5 mg per liter.

(8) Sodium Monitor- HACH Model 9073 Sodium Analyzer measures

soluble sodium, range of 0 to 10,000 ppm.

(9) Nitrate Monitor- APA 6000 Nitrate Analyzer measures soluble

nitrates a nitrogen in mg per liter, ppm and ppb.

The system includes post treatment ponding and a conventional

irrigation system. As the reclaimed monitor is piped into the system, all

of the monitors, either periodically or by preprogrammed schedule, or in

some cases, continuously monitor the system. As the reclaimed water

passes through with all water quality characteristics measuring within

predetermined ranges, the water is simply fed to the holding pond as

-29- needed. When the residual chlorine exceeds the desired range, the

dechlorination system is initiated and will run until the readings fall

within the acceptable range. As a precaution, post treatment readings are

also taken and, if unfavorable, the computer may increase treatment,

signal an alarm, shutdown the flow or some combination thereof.

Likewise, when the TOC exceeds its acceptable range, the oxidation

system feed rate will be adjusted to increase dosage until the TOC

readings fall back into the acceptable range. When any one or more of

the other monitored water quality characteristics exceed their acceptable

ranges, either an alarm will signal and/or a shutdown will occur. The

system results in the avoidance of harmful factors being entered into the

irrigation system and damaged and/or destroyed plantlife is eliminated.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present

invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore

understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention

may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

-30-

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A process for irrigation of man-made landscaped areas, which

comprises:

(a) procuring a supply of reclaimed water selected from the group

consisting of treated sewage wastewater, untreated sewage wastewater

and natural water supply water containing sewage wastewater;

(b) subjecting said reclaimed water to a plurality monitors and testing

said reclaimed water with said plurality of monitors to obtain a plurality

of test results for water quality characteristics, including:

(i) total organic carbon compounds;

(ϋ) PH;

(iii) active chlorine;

(iv) chlorides; and,

(v) sodium;

(c) inputting said test results to a computerized data handling system for

data collection, storage and analysis for comparison to predetermined

-31- acceptable ranges for each of said water quality characteristics, and

providing feedback to show any water quality characteristic

deviating from said acceptable ranges;

(d) providing a dechlorination system to said reclaimed water for treating

said reclaimed water with a dechlorination agent to maintain a level of

residual chlorine below a predetermined maximum of said predetermined

acceptable range, and activating said dechlorination system in response

to feedback from said computerized data handling system when showing

deviation from said predetermined acceptable range for residual

chlorine;

(e) providing an oxidation system to said reclaimed water for treating

said reclaimed water with an oxidizing agent to maintain a level of total

organic compounds below a predetermined maximum of said

predetermined acceptable range, and controlling said oxidation system in

response to feedback from said computerized data handling system when

-32- showing deviation from said predetermined acceptable range for total

organic compounds; and

(f) irrigating a man-made landscaped area with reclaimed water which

has been processed in accordance with the preceding steps.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein said plurality of monitors includes at

least one additional monitor to obtain test results selected from the group

consisting of the following water quality characteristics:

(a) hardness;

(b) turbidity;

(c) alkalinity; and

(d) conductivity.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein said plurality of monitors includes

additional monitors to obtain test results for the following water quality

characteristics:

-33- (e) hardness;

(f) turbidity; ,

(g) alkalinity; and

(h) conductivity.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein said providing feedback to show any

water quality characteristic deviation includes initiating an alarm

selected from the group consisting of audio alarms, visual alarms and

combinations thereof.

5. The process of claim 4 wherein said alarm is initiated in response to

feedback showing any deviation from water quality characteristics

selected from the group consisting of pH, chloride compounds and

sodium.

-34-

6. The process of claim 2 wherein said providing feedback to show any

water quality characteristic deviation includes initiating an alarm

selected from the group consisting of audio alarms, visual alarms and

combinations thereof.

7. The process of claim 6 wherein said alarm is initiated in response to

feedback showing any deviation from water quality characteristics

selected from the group consisting of pH, chloride compounds, sodium,

hardness, turbidity, alkalinity and conductivity.

8. The process of claim 1 wherein said dechlorination system is a

vitamin C dechlorination system wherein vitamin C is fed into said

reclaimed water in response to said computerized data handling system

showing a deviation from said predetermined acceptable range for active

chlorine.

9. A process for irrigation of a golf course, which comprises:

-35- (a) procuring a supply of reclaimed water selected from the group

consisting of treated sewage wastewater, untreated sewage wastewater

and natural water supply water containing sewage wastewater;

(b) subjecting said reclaimed water to a plurality monitors and testing

said reclaimed water with said plurality of monitors to obtain a plurality

of test results for water quality characteristics, including:

(i) total organic carbon compounds;

(ϋ) PH;

(iii) active chlorine;

(iv) chlorides; and,

(v) sodium;

(c) inputting said test results to a computerized data handling system for

data collection, storage and analysis for comparison to predetermined

acceptable ranges for each of said water quality characteristics, and

providing feedback to show any water quality characteristic

deviating from said acceptable ranges;

-36- (d) providing a dechlorination system to said reclaimed water for treating

said reclaimed water with a dechlorination agent to maintain a level of

active chlorine below a predetermined maximum of said predetermined

acceptable range, and activating said dechlorination system in response

to feedback from said computerized data handling system when showing

deviation from said predetermined acceptable range for active chlorine;

(e) providing an oxidation system to said reclaimed water for treating

said reclaimed water with an oxidizing agent to maintain a level of total

organic compounds below a predetermined maximum of said

predetermined acceptable range and to destroy biological hazards, and

controlling said oxidation system in response to feedback from said

computerized data handling system when showing deviation from said

predetermined acceptable range for total organic compounds; and

(f) irrigating a golf course area with reclaimed water which has been

processed in accordance with the preceding steps;

-37- wherein said predetermined acceptable ranges are set within the

following ranges:

(i) for total organic carbon compounds, 0 milligrams per liter to

50 milligrams per liter;

(ii) for residual chlorine, 0 milligrams per liter to 1 milligrams

per liter;

(iii) for pH, 6 to 8;

(iv) for chloride compounds, 0 milligrams per liter to 70

milligrams per liter; and,

(v) for sodium, 0 milligrams per liter to 70 milligrams per

liter.

10. The process of claim 9 wherein said plurality of monitors includes

at least one additional monitor to obtain test results selected from the

group consisting of the following water quality characteristics:

(vi) hardness;

(vii) turbidity;

-38- (viii) alkalinity; and

(ix) conductivity.

11. The process of claim 9 wherein said plurality of monitors includes

additional monitors to obtain test results for the following water quality

characteristics:

(j) hardness;

(k) turbidity;

(1) alkalinity; and

(m) conductivity.

12. The process of claim 9 wherein said providing feedback to show

any water quality characteristic deviation includes initiating an alarm

selected from the group consisting of audio alarms, visual alarms and

combinations thereof.

-39-

13. The process of claim 12 wherein said alarm is initiated in response

to feedback showing any deviation from water quality characteristics

selected from the group consisting of pH, chloride compounds and

sodium.

14. The process of claim 10 wherein said providing feedback to show

any water quality characteristic deviation includes initiating an alarm

selected from the group consisting of audio alarms, visual alarms and

combinations thereof.

15. The process of claim 14 wherein said alarm is initiated in response

to feedback showing any deviation from water quality characteristics

selected from the group consisting of pH, chloride compounds, sodium,

hardness, turbidity, alkalinity and conductivity.

-40-

16. The process of claim 9 wherein said dechlorination system is a

vitamin C dechlorination system wherein vitamin C is fed into said

reclaimed water in response to said computerized data handling system

showing a deviation from said predetermined acceptable range for active

chlorine.

17. The process of claim 10 wherein said predetermined acceptable

ranges for the following water quality characteristics are set within the

following ranges:

(vi) for hardness, 0 to 200 milligrams of calcium carbonate per liter ;

(vii) for turbidity, 0 to 10 nephelometric turbidity units ;

(viii) for alkalinity, 0 to 200 milligrams per liter total alkalinity; and

(ix) for conductivity, o to 4000 microSiemens per centimeter.

-41-

18. The process of claim 11 wherein said predetermined acceptable

ranges for the following water quality characteristics are set within the

following ranges:

(vi) for hardness, 0 to 200 milligrams of calcium carbonate per liter ;

(vii) for turbidity, 0 to 10 nephelometric turbidity units ;

(viii) for alkalinity, 0 to 200 milligrams per liter total alkalinity; and

(ix) for conductivity, o to 4000 microSiemens per centimeter.

19. The process of claim 9 wherein said plurality of monitors includes a

nitrate monitor.

20. The process of claim 19 wherein predetermined acceptable ranges

for nitrate are set within the range of 0 to 100 milligrams per liter nitrate

as nitrogen.

-42-