If key components of the wastewater treatment process fail, property owners could experience backups of sludge into their premises. "If we can't get water through the plant, it backs up through the sewer system and that's when you start to see property damage," Fishel said.
Full Answer
What are the common problems with sewage treatment plants (STPs)?
The article below lists five common problems with Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and how you can fix them. 1. Downstream equipment is failing due to a build of large solids, hairs and fibres Looking at this you have to ask yourself, is your primary treatment adequate? Screening is the first step in any wastewater treatment process.
What happens when a wastewater treatment plant floods?
The flooding of a wastewater treatment plant poses two related, but distinct, problems: what happens to the untreated sewage during a disaster, and what happens to the plant itself. Wastewater plants are the unsung heroes of local infrastructure.
Why is my downstream wastewater treatment failing?
Downstream equipment is failing due to a build of large solids, hairs and fibres Looking at this you have to ask yourself, is your primary treatment adequate? Screening is the first step in any wastewater treatment process.
Is Merritt’s wastewater treatment plant vulnerable to flooding?
Five months ago, floodwaters inundated Merritt’s wastewater treatment plant, forcing the evacuation of the entire city—including those areas that hadn’t otherwise been damaged or threatened. That event showed the vulnerability of such plants, and the potential consequences when they are hit by floods.
What happens at a sewage treatment plant after waste is removed from water?
After the sewage leaves the settling tank in the primary stage, it is pumped into an aeration tank, where it is mixed with air and sludge loaded with bacteria and allowed to remain for several hours. During this time, the bacteria break down the organic matter into harmless by-products.
What are some of the problems with running a sewage treatment plant?
What are the Biggest Problems in Wastewater Treatment Plants?Energy consumption. Energy consumption is one of the biggest issues confronting wastewater plants. ... Staffing shortages. ... Environmental footprint. ... Looking for new water treatment systems?
What is the last stage of sewage treatment plant?
If disinfection is practiced, it is always the final process. It is also called "effluent polishing".
What is a bypass event?
Unauthorized releases, such as sanitary sewer overflows, are the most common type of event when wastewater systems are inundated with rain/snow melt or from pump or electrical failures. A bypass is the intentional diversion of a waste stream from any portion of your treatment facility.
What are the biggest problems with wastewater treatment?
There are four major challenges facing operators of wastewater treatment plant and these can be split into four broad categories which are energy consumption, people skills and competence, dealing with sludge, and footprint and facilities.
What is the major problem associated with sewage and wastewater treatment?
Sludge Production A major environmental challenge for wastewater treatment is the disposal of excess sludge produced during the process. What is the solution? Safe and long term solutions for the destination of sludge produced by wastewater treatment plants are a vital element of a sustainable functioning facility.
Where does human waste go after a sewage treatment plant?
The treated wastewater is released into local waterways where it's used again for any number of purposes, such as supplying drinking water, irrigating crops, and sustaining aquatic life.
What are the 4 stages of sewage treatment?
4-Step Wastewater Sludge Treatment ProcessStep 1 – Sludge Thickening. The first step in the sewage sludge treatment plan is called thickening. ... Step 2 – Sludge Digestion. After amassing all the solids from the sewage sludge begins the sludge digestion process. ... Step 3 – Dewatering. ... Step 4 – Disposal.
What are the 3 stages of sewage treatment?
There are three main stages of the wastewater treatment process, aptly known as primary, secondary and tertiary water treatment.
What is a sewage bypass?
Sewage Bypass Pumping Systems for Wastewater In order to properly care for our aging infrastructure, sewage bypass projects are a critical component of many community investment projects. Temporary bypass systems transfer water and sewage flow to maintain uninterrupted service during the maintenance work.
What happens when wastewater is discharged in natural environment?
When discharged in large quantities, it can raise the temperature of receiving streams locally and disrupt the natural balance of aquatic life. The acidity or alkalinity of wastewater affects both treatment and the environment.
What is bypass in water treatment?
Bypasses are a necessity in a combined sewers system because they help to:Prevent rainwater and sewage in the combined sewers from backing up and potentially causing basement and/or surface flooding;prevent flooding of the plant and protect the plant's ability to continue treating wastewater;More items...
What happens if there is no organic waste in the water?
If there is no organic waste present in the water, there won’t be as many bacteria present to decompose it and thus the BOD will tend to be lower and the DO level will tend to be higher. High effluent BOD levels in the treated effluent can have a number of causes some of which are shown below.
What is the BOD of treated effluent?
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is a measure of how much oxygen is required to biologically decompose organic matter in the water. Generally, when BOD levels are high, there is a decline in dissolved oxygen (DO) levels.
Why is the WWTP odour bad?
Odour is primarily due to the presences of hydrogen sulphide, but can also include mercaptans and organic acids that lend themselves to growing sulphur reducing bacteria.
Why does BOD decrease?
This is because the demand for oxygen by the bacteria is high and they are taking that oxygen from the oxygen dissolved in the water.
What is the biological reduction of nitrate to nitrogen gas?
The biological reduction of nitrate to nitrogen gas is performed by bacteria that live in a low-oxygen environment. To thrive, the bacteria need biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) – soluble BOD. Particulate BOD needs to be broken down into solution before it is of value.
An aging facility
Early last year, a contractor came to the plant to evaluate the SCADA (automatic control) system and the heating system. After a tour, they realized the state of the facility was much worse than they realized.
Keeping the plant running
At present, the cost for the rehabilitation project is estimated to be $27 million and won't break ground for another three to four years. In the meantime, Fishel has been working to fix what equipment he can now.
Risks for homeowners
While the average homeowner isn't affected by the plant update and will not experience a disruption of service, they could face problems if the concerns at the plant are not addressed.
Next steps and moving forward
Because the project is still at least three years away from breaking ground, Fishel said the next steps are to focus on the concerns of today.