About half of the methane produced by the city’s plants is already used to meet about 20 percent of the energy demands of the city’s 14 sewage plants, whose electric bills run to a total of about $50 million a year. Now the city wants to market the other half, which is burned off and wasted. Transforming the Sludge at Newtown Creek 13 Photos
Full Answer
How many gallons of wastewater does New York City treat?
New York City’s 14 Wastewater Resource Recovery Facilities together treat 1.3 billion gallons of wastewater daily. Each person can help our wastewater treatment system run better by conserving water, disposing of garbage and household chemicals properly and being concerned about water quality in the New York City’s waterways.
How is wastewater treated at NYC wastewater resource recovery facilities?
At our 14 Wastewater Resource Recovery Facilities, wastewater undergoes five major processes of treatment, which closely mimic how wetlands, rivers, streams, and lakes naturally purify water. After about 8–10 hours, our facilities remove pollutants from wastewater and release clean water into New York City Waterways.
How much energy does a wastewater treatment plant use?
Wastewater treatment plants consume large amounts of energy. They also have the capa bility to produce a fuel, biogas (a combination of methane and carbon dioxide), through anaer obic digestion of sewage sludge. A secondary treatment plant may use as much as 1500
What are the energy requirements for WWTPs in New York?
For all WWTPs in New York State wbere effluent hydropower may be feasible, the total installed electric capacity of these sites would be about 4,000 kW. Cogeneration Figure 10 illustrates the energy requirements for trickling filter and activated sludge WWTPs as a function of plant influent flow rate.
How much energy does wastewater treatment use?
Across the country, municipal wastewater treatment plants are estimated to consume more than 30 terawatt hours per year of electricity,1 which equates to about $2 billion in annual electric costs.
Does NYC burn sewage?
The coast of New York City is lined with 460 outfall locations, each one discharging millions of gallons of sewage into New York Harbor every year.
What is the sewage treatment capacity of New York City?
1,805 millions gallons dailyWith their completion, virtually all raw sewage generated in New York City was being captured and treated. Today, the City's wastewater treatment plants have the capacity to treat dry weather flows of 1,805 millions gallons daily.
How many NYC wastewater resource recovery facilities are in NYC?
14 Wastewater Resource Recovery FacilitiesNew York City's 14 Wastewater Resource Recovery Facilities together treat 1.3 billion gallons of wastewater daily.
Where does all the poop in NYC go?
The truth is, while most of your poop goes to a water treatment plant, there's a good chance it'll end up in the ocean. This is due to the city's Combined Sewer Overflow system. Essentially, this means that over 60% of NYC sewers are connected.
What does New York City do with its sewage?
The treated wastewater is then released into local waterways. The sludge produced from the treatment process goes through its own treatment to become “biosolids.” These solids are taken to landfills or further processed by outside contractors to be used as a soil amendment.
How is NYC water treated?
While NYC's water is unfiltered, it does get treated with chlorine to kill germs, fluoride to prevent cavities, orthophosphate to inhibit lead contamination from pipes, and sodium hydroxide to lessen acidity.
How many wastewater treatment plants are in New York State?
Across New York State there are over six hundred wastewater treatment facilities that serve 1,610 municipalities.
Does New York City have a combined sewer system?
Approximately 60% of New York City has a combined sewer system. This system uses a single pipe or a “combined sewer” to carry the flow of wastewater and stormwater to the local wastewater treatment plant.
Is New York City water recycled?
New York City's Groundwater System in southeastern Queens was off-line for the entire 2008 calendar year. Another way to recycle water is through Desalination. Desalination refers to any of several processes that remove excess salt and other minerals from water.
What treatment processes does NYC use to treat wastewater?
We add sodium hypochlorite, the same chemical found in household bleach, to disinfect wastewater and remove any remaining disease-causing microorganisms. We then release the treated wastewater, or effluent, as clean water into local waterways.
How many water plants does New York City have?
The Bureau of Wastewater Treatment operates 14 water pollution control plants treating an average of 1.5 billion US gal (5.7 million m3) of wastewater a day; 95 wastewater pump stations; eight dewatering facilities; 490 sewer regulators; and 7,000 miles (11,000 km) of intercepting sewers.
Where does wastewater go in New York City?
Every day, wastewater goes down the drains from homes, schools, businesses, and factories and flows into New York City’s Sewer System. In most areas of the city, the combined sewer system collects and conveys wastewater and stormwater runoff from streets, sidewalks, and rooftops, together to a wastewater resource recovery facility.
Where does aerated wastewater go?
Aerated wastewater then flows to final settling tanks , where the heavier solids settle to the bottom. We remove most of this secondary sludge and combine it with the primary sludge for thickening and digestion. We return some of the secondary sludge to the aeration tanks to help maintain the right mix of helpful microorganisms and process incoming wastewater.
How is biogas used in wastewater?
The biogas released during sludge digestion can be used to produce heat and electricity for the wastewater resource recovery facilities. Once purified it can be distributed as renewable natural gas for the community. Recovering and reusing biogas enhances clean air operations and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions from our wastewater resource recovery operations.
How long does it take for sludge to dewater?
After about 15 days, the treated sludge goes through dewatering, which removes water from the solids using large centrifuges (like the spin cycle of a washing machine). We can dewater at six of our 14 wastewater resource recovery facilities. For the other eight facilities, we use marine vessels to transport the treated solids for dewatering. The remaining solids, called biosolids, can be composted, added to agricultural soils, or further processed for other beneficial uses.
What is wastewater in a sewer system?
Several stories underground, incoming wastewater, called influent, flows into the facility from the sewer system. As wastewater enters the facility, it passes through bar screens to remove leaves, twigs, and litter such as plastic bags, food wrappers, bottles, and sanitary wet wipes. We collect the trash and debris and then it is trucked to landfills. Main sewage pumps then pump wastewater from the screens up to the surface level of the facility.
Why add air to aeration tanks?
During secondary treatment, we add air to aeration tanks to foster a healthy environment for oxygen-loving microorganisms that are naturally present in the sewage. These helpful microorganisms consume much of the organic material in the wastewater, which yields heavier particles that can be removed more easily.
What is the name of the tank where sludge is deposited?
We place the thickened sludge into tanks called digesters, which maintain a low-oxygen environment heated to about 98°F. Microorganisms that thrive in this anaerobic environment digest the sludge and much of the material is converted into methane gas, also called biogas.
How many WWTPs are there in New York?
There are more than 570 WWTPs in New York State. with 96 percent providing a mini mum of secondary level of treatment? Approx imately 75 plants in metropolitan New York City and Long Island treat 60 percent of the State's
How to generate electricity for WWTP?
Cogeneration appears ideal for a WWTP. Biogas fuel for generating power can be pro duced on-site using anaerobic sludge digestion. To increase the energy capacity of a system, the biogas could be supplemented with natural gas, if available. The electricity generated and recovered heat have many uses in the plant and any excess electricity could be offered for sale to the utility. Internal combustion engines and generators are available that range from 10 to 6,000 kilo watts (kW). Small gas turbine-generators usu ally have output from 800 and 15,000 kW, but units with less than 50 kW of capacity could be feasible.
What is NYSERDA program?
In its federally funded Energy Services program , NYSERDA provides technical assistance to improve the energy and environmental performance of businesses and institutions, helps secure energy-project funding from private and public sources, and converts fleet vehicles to alternative fuels. The Energy Analysis program focuses on using energy, regulatory, and environmental policies to help New York State businesses grow and to meet the needs of New York State's energy consumers.
How many feet is required to operate a turbine generator?
Tecbnically, a bead of only five feet is required to operate a
Where does NYSERDA research come from?
NYSERDA derives its basic research revenues from an assessment levied on the intrastate sales of New York State's investor-owned electric and gas utilities. Additional research dollars come from limited corporate funds and a voluntary annual contribution by the New York Power Authority.
Where is the influent wastewater stored?
Shifting electrical load from on-peak to off peak hours, or levelizing electricity use throughout the day usually requires temporary storage of the influent wastewater either at the treatment plant site or within the sewerage system , and possibly sludge storage for batch processing.
Where is the nuclear power plant in Buffalo?
Managing the 3,300-acre Western New York Nuclear Service Center at West Valley 35 miles south of Buffalo, the site of a former commercial nuclear fuel reprocessing plant and a low-level radioactive waste disposal area These responsibilities include: Participating in the West Valley Demonstration Project, a joint federal/State effort to solidify the high-level radioactive wastes left over from the reprocessing operation and to clean up the facilities used.
How much energy does a wastewater treatment plant use?
Energy Star reports that energy usage can range from over 50k BTU/gallon each day to less than 5. Energy consumption of wastewater treatment plants is often determined by the type of pollutants in the water, how much of these pollutants are present, and the methods used to remove them. For example, trickle filtration will normally use less energy, while nutrient removal will use higher amounts of energy. Nutrient removal, however, is often a necessary process.
How does reducing water treatment plant energy benefit the environment?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are several benefits of reducing energy consumption in a wastewater treatment plant. Increased Life of Equipment and Infrastructure – By installing more energy efficient methods, energy consumption can be reduced ...
How to reduce water use?
How to Reduce Wastewater Energy Consumption 1 Conduct an Energy Audit – The first step toward reducing energy use is to do an audit to find out exactly what the energy expenditures are for your plant. 2 Create a Plan – It’s important to create an industrial water treatment plan that is unique to your specific facility. After identifying objectives, it is time to put together an action plan that will need the approval of management and the implementation of training programs. The following are several steps the plan could include: 3 Install New Equipment – Older equipment is more expensive to repair and usually doesn’t operate as efficiently as newer models. It’s essential to have the most energy-efficient equipment possible and to keep up a schedule of preventative maintenance. 4 Improve Pump Optimization – Pumping processes normally use a lot of energy and provide opportunities for savings. It’s important to know which blowers or pumps to use, and how often to use them when conserving energy. 5 Implement Renewable Energy – Employing sources of on-site renewable energy is an excellent way to save on energy consumption while protecting the environment. Solar, water, and wind are potential options. 6 Monitor and Maintain Improvements – You’ll need to evaluate what’s working and what’s not on a regular basis, making improvements where needed.
What is AOS wastewater treatment?
AOS Treatment Solutions has been providing detailed treatment programs for municipal water treatment facilities since 1999. Contact AOS for more information regarding how you can reduce the amount of energy your plant uses.
How can the release of pollutants be limited?
The release of pollutants can be limited by reducing the use of fossil fuels. Reduced Energy Costs – Wastewater facilities use a significant portion of a community’s energy resources. Overall costs can be reduced when your facility runs more efficiently and uses less energy.
How to reduce energy use in a plant?
Conduct an Energy Audit – The first step toward reducing energy use is to do an audit to find out exactly what the energy expenditures are for your plant. Create a Plan – It’s important to create an industrial water treatment plan that is unique to your specific facility.
What are some processes that take different amounts of energy?
Preliminary treatment, sedimentation, chlorination, and processing sludge are some of the processes that each takes different amounts of power. There are also other miscellaneous uses of energy to consider, such as light usage.
What is the New York State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System?
The New York State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) has been approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for the control of wastewater and stormwater discharges in accordance with the Clean Water Act. Under New York State law the program is broader in scope than that required by the Clean Water Act in ...
What is a WWTP permit?
Each municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) must operate under an individual SPDES permit that defines the parameters under which it is allowed to discharge ...
Where does wastewater go in New York City?
very day, wastewater goes down toilets and drains in homes, schools, businesses and factories and then flows into New York City’s sewer system. Runoff from rain and melting snow, street and sidewalk washing, and other outdoor activities flows into catchbasins in the streets and from there into the sewers.
How does New York City get its water?
The source of New York City’s drinking water is supplied by a network of 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes in a 1,972 square-mile watershed that extends 125 miles north and west of New York City. Between the water supply and wastewater treatment systems are millions of New Yorkers and visitors to the City and an elaborate network of sewers and water mains. Each person can help these systems run better by conserving water, disposing of garbage and household chemicals properly and being concerned about water quality in the City’s surrounding waters.
What is the purpose of the Industrial Pretreatment Program?
The Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP): a federally authorized program, works to control commer- cial discharges by requiring industries targeted by federal and local pretreatment regulations to remove specific toxins from their wastewater before it is released into the City’s sewer system. IPP helps to protect the sewers, the wastewater treatment plants and the City’s receiving waters. The EPA requires approximately 1,500 municipalities around the country to implement industrial pretreatment programs. DEP has been a control authority since January 1987. DEP’s program is annually audited by either the New York State Department of Conservation (NYSDEC) of the EPA. Since 1987, the amount of heavy metals being discharged by regulated businesses fell from over 2000 lbs/day to 37 lbs/per day. Two successful IPP programs are the Persistent Pollutant Track-down Programand the Perchloroethylene (PERC) Reduction Program. Persistent Pollutant Track-down Program:a collaborative effort between DEP and the DEC. Together, the two agencies work to track down the sources of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenols), PAHs (Poly-Aromatic Hydrocarbon), mercury and other organic chemical compounds found in our harbor waters. When businesses responsible for pollution are identified, DEP and DEC work with them to help establish improved (or first-time) methods of pretreatment. PERC Reduction Program:enforces special sewer regulations that require dry cleaners to implement a best management program to limit perchloroethylene(PERC) discharges into the sewer system. (PERC is a solvent widely used by drycleaners.) DEP regularly inspects the City’s dry cleaning establishments to make sure owners are adhering to PERC regulations. DEP regulates industrial users of the public sewers in a variety of categories such as electroplating, metal finishing, organic chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing. As part of the IPP, DEP issue permits setting forth applicable pollutant limits as well as wastewater sampling and reporting requirements. DEP also regularly inspects IPP facilities and performs its own wastewater monitoring to ensure that the regulated facilities are in compliance with pretreatment standards. Whenever it is determined that a facility is not meeting its permit limits due to a failure in operating and maintaining its pretreatment system, or not installing the proper equipment, DEP will require, through Notice of Violation and/or Commissioner’s Order, that remedial action be taken. Pollution Prevention Program:Pollution Prevention Programs focus on reduction of toxins from commercial sources through education and information about “green” technology and good business management practices. Dry Weather Discharges:In 1988 DEP initiated the
How is methane used in wastewater treatment?
Methane gas is often used as an energy source at the City’s wastewater treatment plants. The gas may be used in engines to produce electricity or directly drive plant equipment. Gas is also used in boilers to provide heat for digestion and plant-wide buildings. Currently, DEP and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) have jointly installed fuel cells at four of the City’s water pollution control plants; 26th Ward, Red Hook, Oakwood Beach and Hunts Point. Fuel cells convert the methane gas and carbon dioxide into heat and electricity that is then used to operate the plants. This technology contributes to New York City’s efforts to enhance clean air operations at its facilities. There is a significant reduction in air emissions as a result of using fuel cells. Digester sludge is pumped from sludge storage tanks to a dewatering facility. At some treatment plants, where there are no dewatering facilities on site, the sludge is transported for processing through a pipeline or by a sludge boat to a plant that has a dewatering facility. (See pictures of sludge vessels on page 25.)
What was the first water system in New York City?
efore the City’s first upstate reservoir system was developed in 1842, New Yorkers depended on well water – and enterprising street vendors – for their drinking water. The Dutch, who first settled on the lower tip of Manhattan, got their water from ponds, streams and shallow wells. As the population multiplied, the demand for fresh water grew. With no system for disposing of sewage and garbage, human and animal waste polluted the water supply, causing frequent epidemics of contagious waterborne diseases, such as yellow fever and cholera. It soon became abundantly clear that something had to be done to rid NYC streets of human and animal waste and trash. Wastewater treatment began in New York City in the late 1890s and early 1900s at two locations in Brooklyn and one in Queens. These became the 26th Ward, the Coney Island Water Pollution Control plants (WPCP) in Brooklyn and the Jamaica WPCP in Queens. Because of the tremendous use of the City public beaches, these three areas were considered a high priority. Wastewater treatment consisted of chemical coagulation for settling as well as seasonal disinfection with chlorine. The impetus was to keep the beaches clean and to protect the health of beach goers rather than maintaining water quality. As the population grew to 3.5 million, these plants became overburdened. When the link was made between waterborne bacteria and diseases in humans, it was recognized that a master plan was needed to study and protect the surrounding waterways. As a result, in 1904, the Metropolitan Sewerage commission was created. The commission undertook harbor surveys and water quality analysis. It performed studies of the tides, studied the harbor’s natural flushing action, and developed a City Master Plan for wastewater treatment plants. The plan included construction of treatment plants to meet the needs of the growing population and identify the optimum locations for future sites. Between 1935 and 1945 three new plants were constructed – Wards Island in Manhattan and Bowery Bay and Tallman Island in Queens. The Wards Island plant was built to handle flows from the east side of Manhattan and the lower part of the Bronx. This plant, which came on line in 1936, was the first to use the conventional activated sludge concept to treat sewage. Bowery Bay and Tallman Island also used activated
What is the purpose of EP wastewater treatment?
Wastewater treatment is only one part of a very broad program to protect and improve the City’s water environment that includes: pollution prevention and remediation; maintenance and upgrading of the City’s sewer and wastewater treatment infrastructure; technically innovative wastewater collection and treatment; ecosystem protection; and ongoing scientific and technical research. The ultimate goal is to reduce and control pollution before it reaches our wastewater treatment plants.
When was sewage sludge removed from the ocean?
In 1988, Congress passed the Ocean DumpingBan Act, forbidding ocean disposal of sewage sludgeby June 30, 1992. DEP devised a three-prongedapproach – an immediate, an interim, and a long-term program – to administer the 1,200 wet tons ofsludge produced each day. The immediate programresulted in a final design of eight dewateringfacilities with construction to begin in March 1991.By December 1991 the first facility went on line.The other seven were finished and became opera-tional by June 1992 at a cost of$670 million.Today, the remaining six plants not served byonsite dewatering facilities transport their sludgefor dewatering either through force mains orsludge vessels.
Preliminary Treatment
Primary Treatment
- Next, the wastewater enters primary settling tanks where the flow of water slows down. We skim off the lighter solids that float, such as grease and small plastic material from the surface of the tanks. Meanwhile, sludge, or the heavier organic solids (feces, food, and paper fibers), begins to sink. We remove this primary sludge from the bottom of the settling tanks for thickening and dig…
Secondary Treatment
- During secondary treatment, we add air to aeration tanks to foster a healthy environment for oxygen-loving microorganisms that are naturally present in the sewage. These helpful microorganisms consume much of the organic material in the wastewater, which yields heavier particles that can be removed more easily. Aerated wastewater then flows to final settling tanks…
Disinfection
- We add sodium hypochlorite, the same chemical found in household bleach, to disinfect wastewater and remove any remaining disease-causing microorganisms. We then release the treated wastewater, or effluent, as clean water into local waterways.
Sludge Treatment
- We thicken the sludge that we collected during primary and secondary treatment to further separate out water from the solid material. We place the thickened sludge into tanks called digesters, which maintain a low-oxygen environment heated to about 98°F. Microorganisms that thrive in this anaerobic environment digest the sludge and much of the material is converted int…
Waste-To-Energy
- The biogas released during sludge digestion can be used to produce heat and electricity for the wastewater resource recovery facilities. Once purified it can be distributed as renewable natural gas for the community. Recovering and reusing biogas enhances clean air operations and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions from our wastewater resource recovery operati…