REVISITING THE COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER DISPOSAL METHODS IN SOUTHEAST FLORIDA

A comparative risk assessment of wastewater disposal methods in southeast Florida has only been performed once and it was over 20 years ago. Since then, methods has changed and research have been developed. This study follows the methods used in the 2000 study, and assesses the following disposal methods: ocean outfalls, deep injection wells, surface water discharge, reuse for non-potable applications, indirect potable reuse, and direct potable reuse. This assessment assembled a team of qualified experts to complete a modified delphi survey to assess the human risks of wastewater disposal methods. Using the delphi results in a Bayesian Assessment Model, this assessment found that deep injection well and direct potable reuse were the disposal methods with the least risk.