Treatment FAQ

how much does it cost to install a sewage treatment plant in whatcom county

by Prof. Rafael Denesik Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

Full Answer

How much does it cost to install a wastewater treatment plant?

At 100–500 GPM, equipment for a wastewater treatment system can be anywhere from $200,000–$700,000, depending on the level of contaminants in relation to the local discharge regulations. Another example is a food-based plant with treatment needs for wastewater from manufacturing products like milk, dairy products, beverage making, etc.

Is there a price guide for a sewage system?

We have put together a sewage system price guide to help customers get an idea of the installation and running costs involved in the different systems. Important note - all cost mentioned on this page are approximate and are to be used as a guide only. For an exact price please contact our team for a custom quote.

Where does wastewater come from in Bellingham WA?

In addition, the City’s wastewater flows into the plant from over 250 miles of sewer collection mains located in Bellingham and the surrounding community. Septic tank waste is also collected from private homes throughout Whatcom County and brought to the plant for treatment.

How much does a 100 gpm wastewater treatment system cost?

At 100 GPM, the system can run you anywhere from $500,000 to over $1 million, depending on the levels of BOD and the discharge limits. Flow rates in relation to the capital cost of your system. In general, if your plant runs consistently at a lower flow rate, you’re usually looking at a lower capital cost for your wastewater treatment system.

How much does a septic system cost in Whatcom County?

Development costs in unincorporated Whatcom County. When a lower-cost septic system is added to the fees, and including a septic review fee, costs of permits and septic rise to $12,387. With a higher-priced system, costs are $25,387.

How many millions of gallons of water per day at peak flow enter into Bellingham Bay?

The Post Point Resource Recovery Plant provided primary treatment for up to a peak flow of 55 million gallons per day for the area's sewered population.

What body of water does the city of Bellingham draw it's drinking water from?

Lake WhatcomLake Whatcom provides drinking water for the City of Bellingham, Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District, several smaller water districts and associations, and homes that draw water directly from the lake. The City of Bellingham withdraws water from the lake's middle basin through a 1,200-foot wooden pipeline.

Where does Bellingham tap water come from?

Lake Whatcom is the source of drinking water for the citizens of Bellingham. On occasion, water from the Middle Fork of the Nooksack River is diverted into Lake Whatcom to supplement the supply of water available for treatment.

How much does it cost to install a sand filter?

Running costs for a sand filter system: 1 Enviro septic gravity or pumped - $200 to $400 every 5 to 10 years 2 Sand filter servicing (if model requires) - $500 per year

Why use an aerator in wastewater treatment?

An aerated wastewater treatment system uses an aerator to encourage the growth of the bacteria which helps to breakdown and clean the effluent. This style can offer a versatile, often cost effective, treatment option, however, requires a reliable power source and the mechanical parts pose a breakdown risk.

When was the Bellingham sewer system built?

Wastewater Treatment. Sewers were first installed in 1892 throughout the developed areas of Bellingham. Consisting of heat-hardened clay pipe, the sewers collected both sewage and rainwater and discharged into Whatcom Creek and Bellingham Bay.

What is added to wastewater after secondary treatment?

Following secondary treatment, wastewater spends an hour in the chlorine contact chamber where chlorine is added to kill any remaining disease-causing organisms. Sodium bisulfite is added following the treatment to neutralize the chlorine to protect fish and sea life.

When was Bellingham Bay treated?

The City first provided primary wastewater treatment in 1947 , discharging effluent into a shallow part of Bellingham Bay, from a treatment plant located near the mouth of Whatcom Creek.

How is secondary solid removed from sludge?

Excess water is then removed from the primary and secondary sludge by high-speed centrifuges .

How to tell if a sewage treatment system is not working properly?

The main signs that a sewage treatment system is not functioning properly is water backing up in sewers and ponding around the percolation area. Sometimes it may be possible to fix a tank by fixing the T-bend where the waste enters the primary tank.

What is secondary sewage treatment?

A secondary treatment system takes the partially digested water and feeds it to bacteria that break it down further. There are many different types of secondary sewage treatment systems.

How much of sewage should be retained in a tank?

Over 99.5% of all solids should be retained in the tank,” explained Diarmuid. Sewage treatment takes place here via anaerobic digestion, generally breaking down the effluent by 30%. Diarmuid says that, typically, in older systems the grey water (partially treated sewage) goes to the percolation area where the soil is expected to do ...

What is a septic tank?

A septic tank is traditionally used for the primary treatment of sewage from most rural houses . Many older houses will only have a septic tank and some form of percolation area for sewage treatment but this is not always sufficient for treating sewage. “In the septic tank the sludge settles, while the crust floats and the liquid or grey water moves ...

Why would a T test over 20 be more likely to require secondary sewage treatment?

On the other hand, wetter soils with a T-test over 20 would also be more likely to require secondary sewage treatment because in time there may be a risk of clogging in average to poor soils.

Do septic tanks need to be desludged?

Some older tanks have structural cracks or the percolation system no longer works efficiently. Diarmuid believes these systems should be upgraded. Certainly, both septic tanks and sewage treatment systems should be desludged regularly.

How much does it cost to install a septic system?

An anaerobic or conventional septic system costs $3,500 to install on average with most homeowners paying between $2,500 and $5,000. These are generally the quickest, easiest, and cheapest to install, and the effluent travels through the septic tank and on into the drain field using gravity.

How much does a septic system cost?

An alternative or aerobic septic system typically costs between $10,500 to $15,000 on average, whereas a conventional or anaerobic system ranges from $2,500 to $5,000 with most homeowners paying $3,500 on average.

How much does it cost to replace a septic field?

Septic drain or leach field replacement will cost between $3,500 to $11,000 with most homeowners paying a total of $7,000 on average. It will cost about $30 per linear foot to dig up the old leach field and $9 to $12 per linear foot to lay the new filtration materials or leach field. A drain field will flood if it gets overloaded with too much liquid, causing sewage to back up in toilets and sinks.

How much does it cost to install a septic system in a 3 bedroom house?

A traditional septic tank for a 3-bedroom house will cost around $3,900 to install on average. For conventional systems, prices start around $5,000 in the Midwest, whereas in coastal areas, one could cost $10,000 or more. For an engineered system, the costs will average around $15,000 for installation.

How much does an above ground septic system cost?

The average cost for an above-ground mound septic system is $15,000, with annual maintenance costing as much as $500. It’s quite possible that the percolation test will come back saying that your soil isn’t of the right drainage quality to have an underground septic system, in which case you’ll have to install an above-ground septic system at two to three times the cost.

What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic septic systems?

The main difference between aerobic and anaerobic septic systems are in how they treat the effluent. Anaerobic or gravity systems flow into a drain field while aerobic systems treat the effluent before it reaches the drain field with oxygen, biofilm in the drain tiles, or sand filters.

What is RV septic system?

The septic system in an RV consists of a black water or wastewater tank, the contents of which are dumped into a sewer connection or dump station. It will need to be flushed, cleaned, and sanitized regularly to stay in good working order.

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