BACKGROUND Silver Springs, located in North Central Florida, is one of the state's largest first-magnitude springs and has attracted visitors since the 19th Century. World famous for its crystal-clear waters, it is the ecological and economic engine in the area. However, flow and water quality data over the past nine decades show a significant decline in spring flow and increase in nutrient concentrations which has led to the ecological degradation of the Silver Springs and Silver River systems. OBJECTIVES While not yet required by regulation, the visionary City of Ocala, located within the Silver Springs springshed, constructed a treatment wetland designed for groundwater recharge to beneficially reuse their reclaimed water by offsetting their groundwater use and nutrient loads to Silver Springs associated with municipal wastewater management. Known as the Ocala Wetland Groundwater Recharge Park, this 35-acre infiltration wetland system receives and treats up to 5 million gallons per day (mgd) of reclaimed water and stormwater to recharge the Upper Floridan Aquifer (UFA), protects water quality, and recovers and enhances the flows to Silver Springs. The Silver Springs system is subject to restrictive Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) regulations for nitrate and has a recovery strategy to help meet its established Minimum Flows and Levels (MFL). The Ocala Wetland Groundwater Recharge Park project supports both nitrate load reductions and recharge to help augment flows in the springshed. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) listed the wetland park as one of the stakeholder projects to reduce nitrogen sources in the Silver Springs Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) area and provided Springs Funding due to its benefit to the region (FDEP, 2012 and SJRWMD, 2017). METHODOLOGY In support of the design and permitting of this project, an onsite hydrogeologic investigation, consisting of soil borings and the construction of pumping and monitoring wells across the site, was conducted to produce site-specific data. A groundwater model was then calibrated to this site-specific data and was used to evaluate the site's capacity to recharge the aquifer and the fate of the applied water to recover flows in the Silver Springs System. These efforts included innovative applications of a calibrated groundwater model combined with a wetlands treatment model to quantify recharge while ensuring the protection of water quality. It was determined that this system would have a capacity of up to 5 mgd, infiltrate an average of 5 in/day, and reduce nitrate levels to background concentrations. The designed wetland system consists of 35 acres of infiltration wetlands divided into 3 cells to receive up to 5 mgd of reclaimed and stormwater on a project area of 60 acres. The design included organically shaped cells graded in-place without the need for import of export of material to construct berms. Wetland habitat diversity was maximized by creating different ecotones across the cells that range from deep open water to shallow wetlands, islands, and rookery areas. The design also included an innovative distribution header that controls flow to each cell independently based on water level setpoints in each wetland cell. This allows for seasonal operation of water levels to maximize recharge and wetland ecological value by mimicking wetland hydroperiods that are driven by seasonal rainfall patterns. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS As shown in Figure 1. nitrate concentrations in the monitoring wells located within the UFA, approximately 100 feet below the wetland park, show a downward trend following park start-up and wetland planting. Nitrate concentrations in the intermediate well (within the influence of the wetland) decreased from 0.5 mg/L to 0.1 mg/L and nitrate concentrations in the compliance well decreased from approximately 1 mg/L to 0.5 mg/L after the application of reclaimed water to the site and start-up of the park. In addition, onsite recharge rates average 5 in/day, achieving the infiltration rates predicted in the groundwater model (Figure 2). The Ocala Wetland Recharge Park provides a unique case study of beneficial reuse management that addresses water supply and water quality while also giving back to the community. Since opening in the September of 2020, the park has seen over 171 bird species and an average of 3,700 visitors per month. Designed to also serve the community, the Park includes 2.5 miles of ADA-accessible trails, interactive educational displays, and some of the best birding in the County as the park was designated a Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail site by the Florida Wildlife Commission in 2023. The City has also developed a website and social media for the wetland park to provide the public with park photos, activities, and educational information. Further serving as an amenity to the community, the park also hosts field trips for local schools and meetings for environmental organizations like the Marion Audubon Society. In 2021, the wetland recharge park's innovation was recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association as they awarded the park with both the Innovation in Conservation Award and the 2021 Best in Innovation Award. The park represents a multi-benefit nature-based solution that should be considered for other areas in need of addressing both water supply and water quality in an innovative and natural way.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been widely used in various industries and products, such as firefighting foams, non-stick coatings, and textiles. Due to their high stability and resistance to degradation, PFAS can persist in the environment and accumulate in living organisms, posing potential risks to ecological and human health. Therefore, there is an urgent need for effective and efficient methods to remove PFAS from different sources of contamination, such as industrial wastewater, landfill leachate, and Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF). This presentation will introduce and demonstrate a novel approach that combines two established technologies, foam fractionation (FF) and supercritical water oxidation (SCWO), to achieve the concentration and destruction of PFAS from various waste streams. FF is a separation technique that uses air bubbles to capture and enrich PFAS from dilute solutions, resulting in a concentrated PFAS-rich foam. SCWO is a thermochemical process that uses water at high temperature and pressure to oxidize organic compounds, such as PFAS, into harmless products, such as carbon dioxide, water, and salts. By applying FF and SCWO in tandem, PFAS can be effectively removed from contaminated water, leaving behind PFAS-free water that can be safely discharged or reused. The main objective of this presentation is to share the practical experience and results of operating a commercial-scale SCWO unit that has been treating PFAS concentrate from various sources. The presentation will provide analytical data and performance indicators from the treatment of PFAS concentrate derived from raw leachate and industrial wastewater that have been pre-treated with FF. Moreover, the presentation will discuss the process and outcomes of treating AFFF concentrate and rinsate that have been generated from fluorinated foam replacement projects. A key aspect to be highlighted is the benefits and challenges of the integrated FF and SCWO approach, covering design considerations, operational conditions, and field outcomes from full-scale implementation. Attendees will also learn about the prerequisites and steps for field deployment and the regulatory compliance issues related to air and water emissions. The following are the learning objectives of this presentation: 1. To gain an overview of the capabilities and readiness of FF and SCWO technologies for treating PFAS-impacted waste streams. 2. To learn about the best practices and strategies for working with state and municipal regulators to ensure compliance with air and water quality standards. 3. To acquire valuable lessons and insights from the deployment, commissioning, and ongoing operation and optimization of a full-scale SCWO unit.

Introduction There have been substantial changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Portfolio of Programs under Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) over the past 3-years, including corresponding funding at historic levels. One of the most impactful changes was FEMA's development of Community Lifelines to increase effectiveness in disaster operations and better position FEMA to respond to catastrophic incidents across the Country. In August 2023, FEMA modified Community Lifelines to include a new, stand-alone 8th Lifeline for Water Systems. Previously considered an aspect of the Food/Water/Shelter Lifeline, this structural change reflected FEMA's recognition and increased prioritization of the water sector in FEMA's efforts to create more resilience within America's infrastructure landscape. This technical session provides an update on Mitigation Funding Programs along with examples of relevant mitigation projects in Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Montana. This increased knowledge of the transformative benefits of risk and disaster mitigation for wastewater utilities will educate attendees on opportunities to increase resilience by taking steps to harden facilities and decrease overall risk. Objectives The presentation aims to provide wastewater utilities with insights into how best to maximize benefits of FEMA's HMA programs. Emphasis will be on opportunities presented by the newly created Water Systems Lifeline. Attendees will learn about resilience projects previously funded by FEMA, new potential mitigation activity types including addressing sea level rise, developing hardened water pipelines, flood-proofing water pollution control facilities, creating resilient power for treatment plants, and rehabilitating sewer systems. Understanding these funding avenues is crucial for utilities to position themselves effectively for assistance. Status The past three years have seen a dramatic shift in FEMA's Hazard Mitigation programs, with an unprecedented level of funding leading to expanded opportunities for wastewater utilities to enhance resilience and mitigate risks. This presentation provides an update on these developments, with a particular focus on how the addition of the Water Systems Lifeline reinforces the emphasis on wastewater sector resilience. Case studies and examples of utility projects benefiting from these changes will be highlighted. The examples will include projects drawn from FEMA's Mitigation Action Portfolio (MAP) along with previously submitted sub-applications to the FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program: In specific, these examples will include: -City of Lincoln, Nebraska's Wastewater Treatment Plant — Flood Mitigation Project -Chippewa Cree Tribe, Montana's Rocky Boy's Reservation — Lagoon Relocation Project -Kansas/Nebraska Multijurisdictional Utilities - Ice Hardening Project -Denison (Iowa) Municipal Utility (DMU) — Ice Hardening and Retrofit Application Methodology The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), also called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provides unprecedented levels of funding to both new and existing FEMA Mitigation programs. Approximately 35% - 45% of the IIJA's total is distributed through grants for which states and localities compete. Including in this funding is $3.5 billion for the FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program (FMA). An additional $1 billion is earmarked for FEMA's BRIC Program and Congress has taken a truly unique step in providing $500 million to help implement the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act, which establishes the Revolving Loan Funds (RLF) eligible to provide local match for hazard mitigation projects, which were authorized by the previous legislation. In terms of perspective, only $200 million was available for FMA in FY2020 and $160 million was available in FY2021. Twenty-six states did not submit FMA applications in FY2020 and 31 states did not apply in FY2021. The FMA program is now funded at $700 million each year through FY2026. The Justice40 Initiative is also an important program. With both the FMA and BRIC identified as programs belonging to one of 21 agencies across the Federal Government engaged in Justice40, the program intends to direct 40% of funding within identified programs towards low equity/low agency communities. Findings and Significance The presentation will focus on the importance of identifying and overcoming barriers to accessing the transformative funding described. By addressing these challenges, wastewater providers can leverage the significant opportunities provided by FEMA's enhanced focus on the Water Systems Lifeline. The session will emphasize the types of resilience projects currently receiving funding and offer strategies for utilities to navigate the application process effectively, thereby positioning their systems for optimal funding assistance.

Introduction Partial nitrification/denitrification coupled with anaerobic ammonia oxidation (PdNA, PANDA) process has the potential to result in capacity, chemical and energy savings at water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs). In this process, ammonia oxidation is controlled to achieve a specific NO3/NH3 ratio. Partial denitrification driven by supplemental carbon addition (e.g., methanol) is then used to stably generate NO2--N accumulation. Anaerobic ammonia oxidizers can then remove both nitrite and ammonia to achieve effluent NH3 and TN limits. Successful PdNA/PANDA has been documented in pilot and full-scale. This work documents advancement and implementation of PANDA at the Fairfax County Noman M. Cole Pollution Control Plant (NCPCP) to achieve TN limits less than 3 mg/L. Specifically, the work will discuss full-scale results demonstrating effective anoxic ammonia removal via the PANDA mode of operation Materials and methods Full-scale reactor setup. The full-scale MBBR system was commissioned in 2013 and is comprised of six trains, five of which are currently equipped with fixed-film media and ancillary equipment. Each train includes two anoxic denitrification cells (approximately 2.4 MG in total volume) in series followed by a single re-aeration cell (approximately 0.6 MG in volume). The anoxic denitrification cells are equipped with mixers and flat screens for media retention. The re-aeration cells are equipped with medium bubble aeration diffusers and cylindrical screens. All cells are equipped with K1 media, which provide the surface area necessary for attached growth of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. Methanol dosing was controlled via feed-back nitrate paced addition. Ammonia and nitrate for the tertiary MBBR PANDA demonstration was provided via process control adjustments to the secondary process, including changes to step-feed configuration, DO and airflow setpoints, load paced equalization and methanol feeding. Results and discussion Full-scale results — Full-scale demonstration testing of PANDA mode commenced in Q3 of 2022 and is ongoing. Results indicated:

*Anoxic ammonia removal between 1 and 2.0 mg/L has been observed since startup and the full-scale facility has been able to maintain weekly effluent ammonia concentration below 0.5 mg/L, monthly effluent TN concentrations of between 2 and 4 mg/L and an average annual effluent TN of 2.9 during the past 12 months of operation (2023).

*Unit methanol use at the facility has decreased by approximately 20% and unit energy demand at the facility has decreased by approximately 5% relative to 2021-2022 plant operations since operating in PANDA mode.

*Full-scale demonstration has confirmed that partial denitrification/anammox is sensitive to the NO3/NH3 ratio in the MBBR influent. Optimal performance (greater than 90% anoxic ammonia removal, COD to Nitrate removed less than 4.0 and influent ammonia above 1.1 mg/L) has been observed at NO3/NH3 ratio of 3.1 to 5.1.

*The FFX NCPCP has historically observed intermittent spikes in secondary effluent ammonia concentration. Potential causes of these spikes may be attributed to load peaking and/or suppressive compounds in the wastewater. A recent ammonia spike resulted in secondary effluent ammonia of 3.6 mgNH3-N/L to the MBBR. The PANDA mode of operation reduced 2.7 mgNH3-N/L to achieve a MBBR effluent ammonia of 0.9 mgNH3-N/L and MBBR effluent TIN of 2.5 mgTIN/L at a NO3/NH3 ratio of 1.5.

*NCPCP operators have easily shifted from PANDA to conventional mode of treatment when necessary to manage outside factors that might interfere with normal operations. Cumulatively, this work is the first to effectively demonstrate full-scale deammonification via PANDA while meeting stringent nutrient limits. Ongoing efforts are focused on optimizing the NO3/NH3 ratio, stabilize phosphorus removal while continuing to reduce energy and methanol associated with nutrient removal at the NCPCP.