The new reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment system on the Cal Poly Pomona campus has a
rate of return close to 80% with the brine waste stream, consisting primarily of nitrate, concentrated
within 20% of the influent water. Because this waste cannot be reintroduced to the environment, Cal
Poly Pomona has purchased a wastewater permit from the Los Angeles County Sanitation District and is
required to pay disposal fees based on the amount of waste produced. The goal for this project was to
develop a sustainable alternative that will effectively treat the concentrated nitrate waste produced by
the RO plant. This method of treatment will benefit the University by reducing the amount of waste
produced and save the campus money on hazardous waste disposal permits.