Navigating the Choppy Waters of Brine Management
The water treatment industry is no stranger to environmental challenges. From the intricate dance of removing contaminants to the ever-evolving regulatory landscape, we water warriors have seen it all. But one particular issue has been making waves in recent years – the management of brine, that pesky byproduct that can make even the most seasoned treatment plant operator break out in a cold sweat.
You see, this salty solution we call brine is no easy feat to tame. Its high concentration of salts and minerals makes it a tricky customer, one that can’t simply be dumped back into the environment without risking serious ecological damage. And with rising concerns over water scarcity and the growing thirst for clean, potable water, the stakes have never been higher.
That’s where the true pioneers of our industry come in – the problem-solvers, the innovators, the ones who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty (or, in this case, a little briny) in the pursuit of sustainable solutions. And at the forefront of this charge is a visionary named Jad Mouawad, whose journey has taken him from the halls of classification societies to the front lines of the ballast water management revolution.
The Rise of the Ballast Water Crusader
Jad’s story began in the early 2000s, when he was cutting his teeth as a naval architect at DNV, responsible for approving the piping and cargo systems on chemical tankers. It was here that he first encountered the burgeoning field of ballast water management systems (BWMS) – a critical piece of the puzzle in preventing the spread of invasive species through ship-borne ballast water.
“I started working with the approval and certification of BWMS around three years after the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention was adopted in 2004,” Jad recalls. “Principally, I do the same work now as I did when I was at DNV, but as a consultant.”
Fast forward to 2013, and Jad had taken the leap to found his own consultancy, Mouawad Consulting. His vision was clear: to create a firm recognized for its technical expertise and independent approach to all things ballast water management. And boy, did he deliver.
In the span of just a few years, Mouawad Consulting had established a global footprint, with offices stretching from South Korea to Canada. This international reach allowed the firm to offer a comprehensive range of services, from engineering and 3D scanning to design, installation, and even spare parts for BWMS.
But Jad’s influence goes far beyond the day-to-day operations of his company. He’s also made his mark on the international stage, becoming a vocal advocate for practical and sustainable solutions within the MEPC (Marine Environment Protection Committee) over the past 15 years.
“I have been to MEPC now for almost 15 years continuously,” Jad shares, “and I have seen at close hand the ways of the bureaucrat. Their role is a significant one, and not always useful in moving the debate forward. These bureaucrats get these points redlines where they just will not give up any ground.”
Jad’s pragmatic approach and deep understanding of the industry have made him a force to be reckoned with, as he navigates the sometimes treacherous waters of international maritime regulations and standards. And his latest endeavor, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Ballast Water Innovation Project, is a testament to his unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Tackling the Brine Conundrum
While Jad’s work in the ballast water management sector has been groundbreaking, his expertise extends far beyond the confines of the maritime industry. In fact, he’s also at the forefront of another critical environmental challenge – the management of brine, that salty byproduct of water treatment processes.
According to VLS Environmental Solutions, brine’s high salt concentration makes it unsuitable for direct reintroduction into the environment, posing significant risks to soil, water sources, and ecosystems. Traditional disposal methods like landfills or direct discharge come with their own set of environmental and regulatory hurdles, driving the need for more sustainable solutions.
Enter the power of evaporation technology. This innovative process involves converting the water portion of the brine into vapor, leaving behind the solid salts and minerals. The clean, purified water can then be safely returned to the water cycle, reducing the environmental footprint of the entire treatment process.
But Jad and his team at Mouawad Consulting understand that evaporation is just one piece of the puzzle. They also focus on developing comprehensive disposal solutions for the remaining concentrated brine, tailoring their approach to the unique needs of each facility. This can include solidifying the brine for secure landfilling or exploring beneficial reuse opportunities, such as using the salt in industrial applications or as a road deicer.
“At VLS Environmental Solutions, we believe in the power of innovation to drive environmental stewardship,” the company states. “By advancing evaporative technology and exploring holistic disposal solutions, we’re not just addressing the challenges posed by brine – we’re redefining what it means to be leaders in water treatment.”
And Jad Mouawad is undoubtedly one of those leaders, pioneering the way forward with his unwavering commitment to sustainability and a relentless pursuit of practical, real-world solutions.
Charting the Course for a Cleaner Future
As we look ahead, the water treatment industry is poised to face an array of new challenges – from rising water scarcity to increasingly stringent environmental regulations. But with visionaries like Jad Mouawad leading the charge, I can’t help but feel a sense of cautious optimism.
The City of Brighton, Colorado, for example, is embarking on a “once-in-a-generation project” to improve and expand its drinking water treatment system. By partnering with industry experts like Brown and Caldwell, the city is investing in cutting-edge technologies and processes to ensure a reliable, high-quality water supply for its growing population.
This kind of forward-thinking, collaborative approach is exactly what we need to navigate the choppy waters ahead. And with pioneers like Jad Mouawad leading the way, I’m confident that the water treatment industry will continue to rise to the challenge, pioneering new solutions and setting the standard for environmental compliance.
So, the next time you’re standing at the edge of a treatment plant, gazing out at the shimmering surface of a brine pond, remember the unsung heroes who are working tirelessly to protect our most precious resource. They may not be wearing capes or flying through the air, but they’re true superheroes all the same – and we owe them a debt of gratitude.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some evaporation technology to research. Inland Waters Inc. could use a few more of these innovative brine-busting solutions, don’t you think?
