OPERATION OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS Volume | A Field Study Training Program * ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY «+ + OFFICE OF WATER PROGRAMS «+ + DIVISION OF MANPOWER AND TRAINING +Environmental Protection Agency Review Notice This training manual has been reviewed by the Office of Water Program Operations, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and approved for publi- cation. Approval does not signify that the contents necessatily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recom- ‘mendation for use by the Environmental Protection Agency, California State University, Sacramento, California Water Pollution Control Association, au- thors of the chapters or project reviewers and directors,OPERATION OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS Second Edition VOLUME | AA Field Study Training Program prepared by California State University, Sacramento (formerly Sacramento State College) Department of Civil Engineering in cooperation with the Califomia Water Pollution Control Association IIE EOI IS ISS RR Kenneth D. Kerri, Project Director Bill 8. Dendy, Co-Director John Brady, Consultant and Co-Director William Crooks, Consultant AIA aaiaa non annion tatiana for the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water Program Operations Municipal Permits and Operations Division First Edition, Technical Training Grant No. STT1-WP-16-03 (1970) Second Ecition, Grant No. T900690010 1980NOTICE This manual is revised and updated before each printing based on com- ments from persons using the manual. FIRST EDITION First printing, 1971 5,000 Second printing, 1972 7,000 Third printing, 1973 9,000 Fourth printing, 1974 6,000 Fifth printing, 1975 4,000 Sixth printing, 1977 11,000 Seventh printing, 1979 4,000 ‘SECOND EDITION First Printing, 1980 7,000PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION ‘The purposes of this home study program are: ‘a. to develop qualified treatment plant operators; B. to expand te abies of existing operators, permiting beter Senco to both ther employers andthe pubic; an ©. to prepare operators for CERTIFICATION EXAMINATIONS.* To provide you with information needed to operate wastewater treatment plants as efficiently as possible, experienced plant operators prepared the material on treatment plant processes. Each chapter begins with an introduction and then discusses start up, daily operation, interpretation of lab results and possible approaches to solving operational problems. This order of topics was determined during the testing program on the basis of ‘operators’ comments indicating the information they needed most urgently. Additional chapters discuss mainte- ee ‘safety, sampling, laboratory procedures, hydraulics, records, analysis and presentation of data, and report writing. Plant influents (raw wastewater) and the efficiencies of treatment processes vary from plant to plant and from {ocation to location. The material contained in this program is presented to provide you with an understanding of the basic operational aspects of your plant and with information to help you analyze and solve operational problems. This information will help you operate your plant as efficiently as possible. Wastewater treatment is a rapidly advancing field. To keep pace with scientific advances, the material in this program must be periodically revised and updated. This means that you, the operator, must recognize the need to be aware of new advances and the need for continuous training beyond this program. Originally the concepts for this manual evolved from Mr. Larry Trumbull, 1967 Chairman of the Operator Training ‘Committee of the California Water Pollution Control Association. Messrs. Bill Dendy and Kenneth Kerri, Project Directors, investigated possible means of financial support to develop and test the manual and prepared a success- ful application to the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration (STT1-WP-16-03). The chapters were written, tested by pilot groups of operators and potential operators, reviewed by consultants and the Federal Water Quality ‘Administration, and rewritten in accordance with the suggestions from these sources. “The project directors are indebted to the many operators and other persons who contributed to the manual. Every effort was made to acknowledge material from the many excellent references in the wastewater treatment field. Special thanks are due Messrs. John Brady and William Crooks who both contributed immensely to the manual. Mr. FJ. Ludzack, Chemist, National Training Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Water Quality Office, offered ‘many technical improvements. A note of thanks is also due our typists, Miss Linda Smith, Mrs. Gloria Uri, Mrs. Daryl Rlauason Mrs. Vic Saciom, Mra. Peggy Cowtney, end Mr. Pris Jemigan. uetations were drawn Sy Mi fartin Garrity, Following the first year of use by over 6500 operators and persons interested in operation, minor editing changes were necessary to correct typing errors and omissions and also to rewrite and expand questions and sections that ‘could be clarified. Improvements suggested by operators using the manual were summarized and forwarded to a special Technical Advisory Task Force composed of operators familiar with the manual. This Task Force was formed as a subcommittee of the Water Pollution Control Federation's Personnel Advancement Committee and was chaired by Mr. Sam Warrington, We gratefully thank John Brady, Carlos Doyle, Otto Havens, Wilbur Holst, William Johnson, F.J. Ludzack and David Vandersommen for their efforts to improve our original version. Kenneth D. Kerri Bill Dendy 1973 * Centcation examination. An examination administored by a state or professional association that operators take to indicate a fvel of ‘professional competence. In most states the Chie? Operator ofa plant must be “ceriled” (successfull pees certiication examination), angina fw states cercaton voluntary. Curent wands acto ha certicton of operators wil be mandatory na eas hfe near iPREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION During the 1970's many people decided that something must be done to control water pollution. The United States Congress passed the “Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972" (PL 92-500) and sub- sequent amendments. The objective of this Act isto restore and maintain the quality of the Nation's waters. In order to achieve this objective, the Act contains provisions for a financial grant program to assist municipalities with the planning, construction, start up and training of personnel in publicly-owned wastewater treatment plants. Grant funds have been used to build many new plants to date and many more piants will be builtin the future. These plants are becoming more complex and are requiring operators with higher levels of knowledge and skils in order to insure that the plants produce a high quality effluent. This manual, OPERATION OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS, was used by over 40,000 persons inter- ested in the operation of treatment plants during the 1970's. Every year when more manuals were printed, the manual was updated on the basis of comments and suggestions provided by persons using the manual. After six years of use by operators, the authors, the California Water Pollution Control Association, and the U.S. Environmen- {al Protection Agency (EPA) decided that the contents of the manual should be reexamined, updated and revised. To accomplish this task, EPA provided the Foundation of California State University, Sacramento, with a grant to conduct the necessary studies, writing and field tests. Recently the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) have undertaken studies to document “need to know’ tasks performed by wastewater treatment plant operators, skills required, alternative methods of training, training material needs and availabilty, and the development of instruc tional materials for certification examinations. Every effort has been made to incorporate the results of these studies in this Second Edition of OPERATION OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS. The project directors are indebted to the many operators and other persons who contributed to the Second Edition. Material from the many excellent references in the wastewater treatment field has been acknowledged wherever possible. Joe Bahnick, Ken Hay, Adelaide Lilly, Frank Lapensee and Bob Rose, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, served ably as resource persons, consultants and advisers. Special thanks are due our project consultants, Mike Mulbarger, Carl Nagel and Al Petrasek who provided technical advice. Our education reviewers were George Gardner and Larry Hannah. Christine Umeda and Marlene Itagaki administered the national field testing program. A note of thanks was well eamed by our typists Charlene Arora, Elaine Saika and Gladys Kornweibel. Illustrations were drawn by Martin Garrity Kenneth D. Kerri John Brady 1980USES OF THIS MANUAL Originally this manual was developed to serve as a home-study course for operators in remote areas or persons tunable to attend formal classes either due to shift work, personal reasons or the unavailability of suitable classes. ‘This home-study training program used the concepts of self-paced instruction where you are your own instructor and work at your own speed. In order to certify that a person had successfully completed this program, an objective ‘test was included at the end of each chapter and the training course became a correspondence of self-study type of rogram, Once operators started using this manual for home study, they realized that it could serve effectively as a textbook in the classroom. Many colleges and universities have used the manual as a text in formal classes often taught by ‘operators. In areas were colleges were not available or were unable to offer classes in the operation of wastewater ‘treatment plants, operators and utlity agencies joined togehter to offer their own courses using the manual. Occasionally a utility agency has enrolled from three to over 300 of its operators in this training program. A manual 's purchased for each operator. A senior operator or a group of operators aro designated as instructors. These ‘operators help answer questions when the persons in the training program have questions or need assistance. The Instructors grade the objective tests at the end of each chapter, record scores and notity California State University, Sacramento, of the scores when a person successfully completes this program. This approach avoids the long wait while papers are being graded and returned by CSUS. ‘This manual was prepared to help operators run their treatment plants. Please feel free to use it in the manner which best fits your training needs and the needs of other operators. We will be happy to work with you to assist you in developing your training program. Please feel free to contact Ken Kerri, Project Director Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants Califomia State University, Sacramento 6000 Jay Street ‘Sacramento, California 95819 Phone (916) 454-6142 or 454-6366INSTRUCTIONS TO PARTICIPANTS. IN HOME-STUDY COURSE Procedures for reading the lessons and answering the questions are contained in this section To progress steadily through this program, you should establish a regular study schedule. For example, many ‘operators in the past have set aside two hours during ‘two evenings a week for study. The study material is contained in three volumes di- vided into 29 chapters. Some chapters are longer and more difficutt than others. For this reason, many of the chapters are divided into two or more lessons. The time required to complete a lesson will depend on your back- ground and experience. Some people might require an hour to complete a lesson and some might require three hours; but that is perfectly all right. THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE MATERIAL IN THE LESSON! Each lesson is arranged for you to read a short sec- tion, write the answers to the questions at the end of the section, check your answers against suggested an- ‘swers; and then YOU decide i you understand the mate- tial sufficiently to continue or whether you should read the section again. You will find that this procedure is slower than reading a normal textbook, but you will re= ‘member much more when you have finished the lesson, At the end of each chapter, you will find an “objective test.” Mark your answers on the special answer sheet provided for each chapter. Some discussion and review Questions are provided following each lesson in the later chapters. These questions review the important points you have covered in the lesson. ‘The objective test at the end of each lesson contains true or false, multiple-choice, fil-in-the-blank, or match- the-answers types of questions. The purposes of this exam are to review the chapter and to give experience in taking different types of exams. MAIL TO THE PRO- GRAM DIRECTOR ONLY YOUR ANSWERS TO OB- JECTIVE TESTS ON THE PROVIDED ANSWER ‘SHEETS. ‘After you have completed the last objective test, you will find a final examination, This exam is provided for you to review how well you remembered the material You may wish to review the entire manual before you take the final exam. Some of the questions are essay- type questions which are used by some states for higher-level certification examinations. After you have completed the final examination, grade your own paper and determine the areas in which you might need addi- tional review before your next examination. ‘You are your own teacher in this program. You could merely look up the suggested answers from the answer sheet or copy them from someone else, but you would Nol understand the material. Consequently, you would not be able to apply the material to the operation of your plant nor recall it during an examination for certification or a civil service position. YOU WILL GET OUT OF THIS PROGRAM WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT.SUMMARY OF PROCEDURE ‘A. OPERATOR (YOU) 1. Read what you are expected to learn in each ‘chapter (from Chapter 4 on, the major topics are listed at the beginning of the chapter). 2. Read sections in lesson. 3. Write answers to questions at end of sections in your notebook. You should write the answers to the questions just like you would if these were ‘questions on a test. 4, Check your answers with suggested answers. 5. Decide whether to reread section or to continue with the next section. 6. Write answers to discussion and review ques- tions at the end of lessons in your notebook. 7. Mark answers to objective test on answer sheet. 8. Mail material to project director. Ken Keri, Project Director Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants California State University, Sacramento 6000 Jay Street Sacramento, California 95819 B. PROJECT DIRECTOR 1. Mails answer sheet for each chapter to operator. 2. Corrects tests, answers any questions, and re- turns results to operators. vii ©. ORDER OF WORKING LESSONS To complete this program you will have to work all of the chapters. You may proceed in numerical order, oF you may wish to work some lessons sooner. Chapter 17, “Basic Arithmetic and Treatment Plant Problems,” may be worked before Chapter 4 because Chapter 4 requires the use of simple arithmetic. if you have trouble with the problems in Chapter 4 or some of the following chapters, you may find it helpful to refer to the arithmetic chapter or you may decide to work the arithmetic chapter first. Chapter 16, “Laboratory Procedures and Chemistry,” ‘may be studied with Chapter 5 because the operation of sedimentation and flotation treatment processes re- Quires some laboratory tests. Again, you may wish to refer to the lab chapter while working on Chapter 5 and the other chapters, or you may wish to work the fab chapter first. SAFETY IS A VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC. Everyone working in a treatment plant must always be safety con- scious. You must take extreme care with your personal hygiene to prevent the spread of disease to yourself and your family. Operators in treatment plants daily en- ‘counter situations and equipment that can cause a seri- ‘ous disabling injury or illness if the operator is not aware of the potential danger and does not exercise adequate Precautions. For these reasons, you may decide to work ‘on the chapter on "Plant Safety and Good Housekeep- ing” early in your studies. In each chapter SAFE PRO- CEDURES ARE ALWAYS STRESSED.COURSE OUTLINE VOLUME |, SECOND EDITION Chapter Topic evrennone 10 The Treatment Plant Operator Why Treat Wastes? Wastewater Treatment Facilities Page 1 ” 25 Racks, Screens, Comminutors and Grit Removal 55 ‘Sedimentation and Flotation Trickling Filters Rotating Biological Contactors Activated Sludge (Package Plants and Oxidation Ditches) Waste Treatment Ponds Disinfection and Chiorinetion Final Examination Glossary Index TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS, FIRST EDITION William Garber Frank Phillips George Gardner Warren Prentice Carl Nagel Ralph Stowell Joe Nagano Lary Trumbull ‘TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS, SECOND EDITION George Gardner Cart Nagel Lany Hannah ‘AI Petrasek Mike Mulbarger 101 185 197 227 275 a9 997 405 435Chapter " 12 13 4 15 16 7 18 19 2B BENRRBRVREK COURSE OUTLINE VOLUME II, SECOND EDITION Tople Activated Sludge (Conventional Activated Sludge Plants) ‘Sludge Digestion and Solids Handling Effluent Disposal Plant Safety and Good Housekeeping Maintenance Laboratory Procedures and Chemistry Basic Arithmetic and Treatment Plant Problems ‘Analysis and Presentation of Data Records and Report Writing Final Examination Glossary Index VOLUME III, SECOND EDITION (Odor Control Activated Sludge (Pure Oxygen and Operational Control Aitematives) ‘Solids Handling and Disposal Solids Removal from Secondary Effiuents Phosphorus Removal ‘Wastewater Reclamation Instrumentation Industrial Waste Monitoring Industrial Waste Treatment ‘Support Systems Final Examination Glossary IndexCHAPTER 1 THE TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR by Lary Trumbull and William Crooks1.0. What is a Treatment Piant Operator? 101 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 4.1 Your Personal Training Course ‘What Do You Already Know? 1.3. The Water Quality Protector: YOU 12 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Chapter 1. The Treatment Plant Operator ‘What does a Treatment Plant Operator do? Who does the Treatment Plant Operator work for? Where does the Treatment Plant Operator work? . ‘What pay can a Treatment Plant Operator expect? What does it ake to be a Treatment Plant Operator? 14 Your Qualifications 141 Your Job .. 1.5 Manpower Neods and Future Job Opportunities 1.8 Training Yourself to Meet the Needs Sees ere co eeeCHAPTER 1. THE TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR This portion of Chapter 1 was prepared especially for the new or the potential WASTEWATER’ treatment plant operator. Hf you are an experienced operator, you may find some now viewpoints, 1.0. WHAT IS A TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR? Before modern society entered the scene, waler was purtied in a natural cycle as shown below: PO) aang inter va uate? Se —~ GS 5/9 ‘Simpitied natural purification cycle But modern society and the intensive use of the water re- source and the resulting water pollution could not wait for sun, wind, and time to accomplish the purification of solled water: ‘consequently, treatment plants were built. Thus, nature was given an assist by a team consisting of designers, builders, {and treatment plant operators. Designers and builders occupy the scene only for an interval, but operators go on forever. ‘They are the final and essential link in maintaining and protect- ing the aquatic environment upon which al life depends. 1.01. What does a Treatment Plant Operator do? ‘Simply described, the operator Keeps a wastewater (sew- age) treatment plant working. Physically the operator tums Valves, pushes switches, collects samples, lubricates equip- ment, reads gages and records data, ‘An operator may also maintain equipment and plant area by painting, weeding, gardening, repairing and replacing. Men- tally an operator inspects records, observes conditions, makes calculations to determine that the plant is working effectively, ‘and predicts necessary maintenance and facility needs to as ‘sure continued effective operation of the plant. The operator also has an obligation to explain to supervisors, councils, civic. bodies, and the general public what the plant does, and most importantly, why its continued and expanded financial support is vital to the welfare of the community. 1.02 Who does the Treatment Plant Operator work for? ‘An operator's paycheck usually comes from a city, sanitation district, or other public agency. The operator may, however, be ‘employed by one of the many large industries which operate ‘Wastewater. their own treatment plants. As an operator you are responsible to your employer for maintaining an economically and ef ciently operating facility. An even greater obligation rests with the operator because the great numbers of people who rely ‘upon downstream water supplies are totally dependent upon the operator's competence and trustworthiness for their wel fare. in the final analysis, the operator is really working for these vitally affected downstream water users. 1.08 Where does the Treatment Plant Operator work? Obviously the operator works in a wastewater treatment plant. But the diferent types and locations of treatment plants, offer a wide range of working conditions. From the mountains to the sea, wherever people congregate into communities, ‘wastewater treatment plants willbe found. From a unit process ‘operator at a complex municipal facilty to a one-person man- ‘ager of a small town plant, you can select your own special place in treatment plant operation. 1.04 What pay can a Treatment Plant Operator expect? In dollars? Prestige? Job satisfaction? Community service? In opportuntias for advancement? By whatever scale you use, retums are what you make them. if you choose a large munici- pality, the pay is good and advancement prospects are tops. Choose a small town and pay may not be as good: but job satisfaction, freedom from time-clock hours, community serv- ice, and prestige may well add up to outstanding personal achievement. Total reward depends on you. 1.05 What does It take to be a Treatment Plant Operator? Desire. First you must choose to enter this profession. You ‘can do it with a grammar school, a high school, or a college ‘education. While some jobs will always exist for manual labor, the real and expanding need is for TRAINED OPERATORS. New techniques, advanced equipment, and increasing it strumeniation require a new breed of operator, one who is id water and solids from a community that flow fo treatment plant. Storm water, surface water, and groundwater inftration also may be included inthe wastewater that enters a plant. Tho term “sewage” Usually relars to household wastes, But this word aing replaced by the form “wastewater.”4 Treatment Plants willing to learn today, and gain tomorrow, for surely your plant will move towarde newer and more effective operating proce- dures and treatment processes. Indeed, the truly service- minded operator assists in adding to and improving the plant performance on a continuing basis. Tomorrows forgotten operator stopped leaming yosterday ‘You can be an operator tomorrow by beginning your learning today; or you can be a better operator, ready for advancement, by accelerating your learning today. This training course, then, is your start towards a better to- ‘morrow, both for you and for the public who will receive better water from your efforts, QUESTIONS Place an “X" by the correct answer or answers. After you. have answered ail the questions, check your answers with those given a the end of the chapter on page 8. Reread any ‘sections you did not understand and then proceed to the next ‘section. You are your own teacher inthis training program, and YOU should decide when you undorstand the material and aro ready to continue with new material EXAMPLE This isa traning course on ‘A. Accounting —B. Engineering _—C. Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation D. Salesmanship. 1.0A. Wastewater is the same thing as: A. Rain al 8 Sol ©. Sewage —_D. Condensation, 1.08. What does an operator do? A. Collect samples. __B. Lubricate equipment. —C. Record data. 1.0C. Who employs Treatment Plant Operators? A. Cttes.. ——_B. Santation districts, 6. Industries. (Check your answers on page 8. 1.1 YOUR PERSONAL TRAINING COURSE Beginning on this page, you are embarking on a training ‘course which has been carefully prepared to allow you to im- [prove your knowledge of and ability to operate a wastewater treatment plant. You will be able to proceed at your own pace; you will have an opportunity to lear a litle or a lot about each topic. The course has been prepared this way to fit the various Reeds of operators, depending on what kind of plant you have ‘or how much you need to learn about it. To study for certfica- tion examinations, you will have to cover all the material. You will never know everything about your plant or about the ‘wastewater which flows through it, but you can begin to answer some very important questions about how and when certain things happen in the plant. You can also learn to manipulate your plant so that i operates at maximum efficiency. 1.2. WHAT DO YOU ALREADY KNOW? If you already have some experience operating a wastewa- ter treatment plant, you may use the first three chapters for a review. If you are relatively new to the wastewater treatment field, these chapters will provide you with the background in- ‘formation necessary to understand the later chapters. The re- mainder of this introductory chapter describes your role as a PROTECTOR OF WATER QUALITY, your QUALIFICATIONS todo your job, a litle about manpower needs in the wastewater {Weatront fled, ana some Information on oll TRAINING OF: PORTUNITIES. 1.3. THE WATER QUALITY PROTECTOR: YOU Historically Americans have shown a great lack of interest in the protection oftheir water resources. We have been content to think that “the solution to pollution is dilution.” For years we wore able to dump our wastes with itle or no treatment back ino the nearest RECEIVING WATERS.® As long as there was enough dilution water to absorb the waste material, nature took care of our disposal problems for us. As more and more towns {and industry sprang up, waste loads increased until the natural ;Buriication processes could no longer do the job. Many water- ways were converted into. open sewers. Unfortunately, for ‘many areas this did not signal the beginning of a clean-up Campaign. It merely increased the frequency of the cry: "We don't have the money for a treatment plant,” or the ever- Popular, "it we make industries treat their wastes they wil move to another state." Thus, the poluion of our waters in- Within the last few years, we have seen many changes in depressing picture. We now reali ‘anand by this ize nature treating wastes before discharged. Adequate tosrort of wastes wil ct sn protec our Roanvested in large, complex municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facies to overcome this poluion; and you, the treatment plant operator, wl play a Key role inthe baile With Out eficion operation of your plan, much of the research, planning, and building that has been done and will be done to accomplish the goals of water quality control in your area will be wasted. You are the Giference botween a feoly and a Derlorming unt. You are, fact a WATEH QUALJIY PHO: TECTOR on the tont ine ofthe water poluon bate POLLUTION/ aes Pollution The receiving water quality standards and waste discharge ‘requirements that your plant has been built to meet have been formulated to PROTECT the water users downstream from your plant. These uses may include domestic water supply, industrial water supply, agricultural water supply, stock and wildlife watering, propagation of fish and other aquatic and ‘marine life, shellfish culture, swimming and other water contact sports, boating, esthetic enjoyment, hydroelectric power, navi- ‘ation, and others, Therefore, you have an obligation to the users of the water downstream, as well as to the people of your district or munici- pality. You are the KEY WATER QUALITY PROTECTOR and ‘must realize that you are in a responsible position. QUESTIONS Write your answers in @ notebook and then compare your ‘answers with those on page 8, ‘The Operator 5 1.3 Why must municipal and industrial wastewaters receive adequate treatment? 1.38 How did many receiving waters become polluted? 14, YOUR QUALIFICATIONS. The skill and ability required for your job depend to a large degree on the size and type of treatment plant where you are ‘employed. You may work at a large modem treatment plant ‘serving several hundred thousand persons and employing a hundred or more operators. In this case you are probably a ‘specialist in one or more phases of the treatment process. (On the olher hand, you may operate a small plant serving ‘only a thousand people or fewer. You may be the only operator at the plant or, at best, have only one or two additional employ- ‘ees. I this is the case, you must be a "jack-ofall trades" be- ‘cause of the diversity of your tasks. 441 Your Job To describe the operator's duties, let us start at the begin- ring. Let us say that the need for a new or improved wastow. ter treatment plant has long been recognized by the commu- nity. The community has voted to issue the necessary bonds to finance the project, and the consulting engineers have submit- ted plans and specifications. it to the best interests of Ue ‘community and the consulting engineer that you be in on the ‘ground flor planning. I tis a new plant, you should be present Or at least available during the construction period in order to become completely familar withthe entie plant, including the equipment and machinery and their operation. This will provide ‘you with the opportunity fo relate your plant drawings to actual faites. You and the engineer should discuss how the treatment plant should best be run and the means of operation the de~ ‘signer had in mind when the plant was designed. If itis an old ‘lant being remodeled, you are in a position to offer excelent ‘advice to the consulting engineer. Your experience provides valuable technical knowiedge conceming the characteristics of wastewater, its sources, and the limitations of the present facilities, Together withthe consultant, you are a member of an expert team able to advise the district or city ‘Once the plant is operating, you become an administrator. In fa small plant your duties may not include supervision of per- sonnel, but you are still in charge of records. You are responsi- ble for operating the plant as efficiently as possible, keeping in Visitors rouring a treatment plant.6 Treatment Plants ‘mind thatthe primary objective is to protect the receiving water ‘quality by continuous and eftiient plant pertormance. Without ‘adequato, reliable records of every phase of operation, the ‘effectiveness of your operation has not been documented (re- corded) You may also be the budget administrator. Most certainly {you are in the best postion to give advice on budget require- ments, management problems, and future planning. You should be aware of the necessity for additional expenditures, including funds for plant enlargement, equipment replacement, and laboratory requirements. You should recognize and define such needs in sufficient time to inform the proper officials to ‘enable them to accomplish early planning and budoeting. ‘You are in the field of public relations and must be able to explain the purpose and operation of your plant to visitors, civic ‘organizations, school classes, representatives of news media, and even to city council or directors of your district. Public interest in water quality is increasing, and you should be pro- ppared to conduct plant fours that will contribute to public accep- {ance and support. A well-guided tour for officials of regulatory agencies or other operators may provide these people with ‘suficient understanding of your plant to allow them to suggest helpful solutions to operational problems. Special care and safety must be practiced when visitors are taken through your treatment plant. An accident could spoil all of your public relations efforts ‘The appearance of your plant indicates to the visitor the type ‘of operation you maintain. Ifthe plant is dirty and rundown with flies and other insects swarming about, you will be unable to ‘convince your visitors that the plant is doing a good job. YOUR RECORDS SHOWING A HIGH-QUALITY EFFLUENT? WILL MEAN NOTHING TO THESE VISITING CITIZENS UNLESS YOUR PLANT APPEARS CLEAN AND WELL-MAINTAINED ‘AND THE EFFLUENT LOOKS GOOD. Another aspect of your public relations duties is your deal- ings with the downstream water user. Unfortunately, the ‘operator is often considered by the downstream user as a polluter rather than a water quality protector. Through a good Public information program, backed by facts supported by reli- able data, you can correct the impression held by the downstream sat and establish “good neighbor” relations ‘This is indeed a challenge. Again, you must understand that ‘you hold a very responsible position and be aware thatthe sole Purpose of the operation of your plant is to protect downstream user, be that user a private property owner, another city or district, an industry, or a fisherman. You are required to understand certain laboratory proce- aes Fite” reves + wma eee eis Se, Oa spre gage Repears Fig. 2.2 Simpitied ilustrtion of nitrogen cycle 2.44 Organic and Inorganic Solids For total solids or for any separate type of solids, such as dissolved, setleable, or nonsettioable, the relative amounts of ‘organic and inorganic matter can be determined. This informa- tion is important for estimating solids handling capacities and. for designing treatment processes for removing the organic Portion in waste. The organic portion can be very harmful to receiving waters. 2.45 Flostable Solids ‘There is no standard method for the measurement and ‘evaluation of floatable solids. Since treatment units are de- signed to remove these solids in raw wastewater and treated offluent. Floatable solids are undesirable in the plant effluent from an aesthetic viewpoint because the sight of floatables in receiving waters indicates the presence of inadequately treated wastewater. QUESTIONS Write your answers in a notebook and then compare your answers with those on page 23, 2.48 An Imhoff Cone is used to measure solids. 2.48 Why is it necessary to measure settleable solids? 2.4C Total solids consist of __. and solids, both of which contain organic and inorganic matter. 2.5 NATURAL CYCLES (Fig. 2.2) ‘When the treated wastewater from a plant is discharged into RECEIVING WATERS'® such as straams, rivers of lakes, natu- ral cycles in the aquatic (water) environment may become up- ‘Set. Whether any problems are caused in the receiving waters. depends on the following factors: 1. Type or degree of treatment, 2. Size of flow from the treatment plant, 3. Characteristics of wastewater from treatment plant, 4. Amount of flow inthe receiving stream or volume of receiv- ing lake that can be used for dilution, 5. Quality of the receiving waters, 6. Amount of mixing between EFFLUENT'* and receiving waters, and 7. Uses of receiving waters. Natural cycles of interest in wastewater treatment include the natural purification cycles such as the cycle of water from ‘evaporation or TRANSPIRATION" to condensation to precipi- tation to runoff and back to evaporation, the life cycles of aqui tic organisms, and the cycles of nutrients. These cycles are ‘occurring continuously in wastewater treatment plants and in receiving waters at diferent rates depending on environmental ‘conditions. Treatment plant operators control and accelerate thase cycles to work for their benefit in treatment plants and in receiving waters rather than have these cycles cause plant ‘operational problems and disrupt downstream water uses. NUTRIENT CYCLES" are a special type of natural cycle because of the sensitivity of some receiving waters to nut tients. Important nutrients include carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, ‘sufur, nitrogen and phosphorus. All of the nutrients have their ‘own cycles, yet each cycle is influenced by the other cycles. ‘These nutrient cycles are very complex and involve chemical ‘changes in living organisms. To lustrate the concept of nutrient cycles, a simplified ver- ‘sion of the nitrogen cycle will be used as an example. A ‘wastewater treatment plant discharges nitrogen in tho form of nitrate (NO; jn the plant etfluent tothe receiving waters. Algae ‘ako up the nitrate and produce more algae. The algae are ‘eaten by fish which conver the nitrogen to amino acids, urea ‘and organic residues. If the fish die and sink to the bottom, ‘S Receiving Weter. A stream, river lake, or ocean Into which treated or untreated wastewater i ‘ Emuent (EF-lu-ent). Water or ofher quid raw, partially or completly treated ~ flowing FROM a basin, treatment process, or treatment 1 aneiaton (TRAN: spear RAY-shun)._ The proces by which water vaper i los the stosphere fom hing plat. "Nort Gye. the tanetormatin or change ors natint rom one om tere unt ements retamed othe orga for, ae Zompliny te cycle. Tre cyce my take Pace under ele’ erebe or anevrobe condone.these nitrogen compounds can be converted to ammonium (NH) in the presence of dissolved oxygen and special Dac- teria ‘the ammonium 's converted to nti (NO), Bon to rit rale (NO), and finally the algae can take up the nitrate and Sart the dyce al over again. If too much nitrogen is discharged to receiving waters, too many algae could be produced. Water with excessive aigae Can be unsightly. Bacteria decomposing dead algae from oc- Casional die ots can deplete the dissolved oxygen and cause a fish kill Thus, the nitrogen cycle has been disrupted, as well as the other nutient eycies. i no dissolved oxygen is present in the water, the nitrogen compounds are converted to am- ‘monium (NH) the carbon compounds to methane (CH,), and the. sulfur compounds to hydrogen sulfide (H,S). Ammonia (#4) and hydrogen sulide are odorous gases. Under these Conditions the receiving waters are SEPTIC;'® they stk and took terrible. Throughout this manual you will be provided In- formation on how to control these nutrient cyces in your treat- rent plant in order to treat wastes and to control odors, 2S wel as fo protect receiving waters. 2.6 NPDES PERMITS (Fig. 2.3) NPDES stands for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, NPDES permits are required by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 with the intent of making the Nation's waters suitable for swimming and for fish and wide. The permits regulate discharges Into navigable \waters trom all point sources of pollution, including industries, municipal treatment plants, large agricultural feed lots and re- {um inigation flows. An industry discharging into municipal col lection and treatment systams need not obtain a permit but ‘must meet certain specified pretreatment standards. These pomits may outline a schedule of compliance fora wastewator treatment facility such as dates for tne completion of plant design, engineering, construction andlor treatment process changes. Instructions for completing NPDES reporing forms land the necessary forms are avaliable from the regulatory agency issuing the permit. ‘Your main concem as an operator i the effluent (cischarge) limitations specified in the NPOES permit for your plant. The permit may specily monthly average and maximum levels of Sotleable ‘solids, suspended solids (nontiterable residue), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and the most probable number (MPN) of COLIFORM®" group bacteria. Larger plants ‘must report effuent temperatures because of the impact of temperature changes on natural cycles. Also, average and maximum flows may bo identified as wall as an accoptablo ‘ange of pH values. Almost al effuants are expected to con- tain vitually no substances which would be toxe to organisms in the recelving waters. The NPDES permit wil specty the frequency of collecting samples and the methods of reporting the results. Details on how to comply with NPDES permits will be provided throughout this manual. Waste Treatment 21 QUESTIONS Write your answers in a notebook and then compare your ‘answers with those on page 23. 2.58 Why should an operator have an understanding of natu- ral cycles? 2.58 What can happen when nutrient cycles are disrupted ‘and there is no dissolved oxygen in the receiving water? 2.68 What does NPDES stand for? 2.7 ADDITIONAL READING For a detailed discussion ofthe physical and chemical com- position of wastewater, you may wish to refer to the following sources: 1. MOP 11, Chapter, “Characterization of Wastewater". 2. NEW YORK MANUAL, Chapter 1, “Sewage.” 3, TEXAS MANUAL, Chapter 1, "Wastewater, Its Composi- tion, Chemistry and Biology. 4, TREATMENT OBJECTIVES FOR OPERATING WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS, by J.C. Meredith, Deeds & Data, WPCF, August 1977. * Actual chapter number and te may depend on edion. 2.8 REVIEW In this chapter you have read why It is necessary to treat wastewater, something about the types of waste discharges {and their effects, and a brief description of the different kinds of ‘solids in wastewater. This is intended to be only a general discussion of these subjects; you will ind more detail in later chapters. You are now ready to go on to Chapter 3 which deals with a description of the basic elements of the wastewater collection ‘and treatment systems. Chapter 3 actually begins the discus- sion of HOW to treat wastewater. Chapter 2 has told you WHY you need to do so, Cwag at wowD aOR ee 'W Septic (SEPLtick). Thi condhion is produced by anaerobic bacteria, severe, he wastewater turns black, ives of foul odor, contains Ito or no dissolved oxygen and creates & hoavy oxygen demand. 2 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)._ The ale at which microorganisms use oxygen in wator or wastewater while stabilizing decomposs- ble organic matter under aerobic condtions. In. oxidation. organic matter serves as food for the bacteria and energy results from ts 2 Galiorm (COAL-i4orm). One type of bacteria. The presence of calforn-group bacteria is an indication of possible pathogenic bactorie! Contamination. The human irtestinal rac i one ofthe main habitats of colform bacteria. They may also be found in the intestinal rac of warm-blooded animals, and in plants, solar, and the aquatic envionment. Focal colforms are those colforms found inthe feces of various warm-blooded animals; whereas the torm "colfarm” also Includes other environmental sources.ue 23 Typical NPDES permit reporting form squejg woUNeOL ZZOperators of wastewater treatment plants operate their plants with the objectives of providing the best possible treat- ‘ment of wastes to protect the receiving waters, downstream ‘users, and neighbors. They accomplish these objectives by 1. Removing wastes from the wastewater to protect the recelv- ing waters regardless of other problems or impacts of pro- tective action in their plant, 2. Meeting NPDES Permit requirements, ‘3. Minimizing odors to avoid nuisance complaints, Waste Treatment 23 4 iing costs, 5. Minimizing energy consumption, and 6. Maintaining an effective preventive maintenance program. The remaining chapters in this manual were prepared for you by operators with the intent of providing you with the knowledge and skills necessary to be a wastewater treatment plant operator. SUGGESTED ANSWERS Chapter 2. WHY TREAT WASTES? ‘Answers to questions on page 16. 2.14 Some ofthe dissolved substances in water include oxy- gon, calcium, carbon, magnesium, chloride, sodium, sul- fate, iron, nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic material 2.18 Water picks up dissolved substances as it fails as rain, flows over land and is used for domestic, industrial, ag ricultural, and recreational purposes. ‘Answers to questions on page 17. 224 a,c, ande. 2.28 Organic, inorganic, thermal, radioactive. ‘Answers to questions on page 18. 2.3A Organic wastes in water provide food for the bacteria. These bacteria require oxygen to survive and con: sequently deplete the oxygen in the water in a way simi- laf the way onygon is removed trom ar when people roathe. 2.88 Hydrogen sulfide gas is produced by anaerobic bacteria. ‘Answers to questions on page 18, 2.3C Disease-causing bacteria in wastewater come from the body wastes of humans who have a disease 2.80 Pathogenic. 2.3 Chlorination is the most frequent means of disinfecting ‘teated wastewater. ‘Answers to questions on page 20. 2.4A Settleabie. 2.4B Settleable solids must be measured to determine the tffciency of settling basins. This amount must also be known to calculate loads on settling basins, sludge pumps, and sludge handling facilities for design and op- frational purposes. You should have recognized the ‘need to know the efficiency of setting basins. 2.4C DISSOLVED and SUSPENDED solids. ‘Answers to questions on page 21 2.5A Operators need an understanding of natural cycles in order to control wastewater treatment processes and ‘odors and also to protect receiving waters, 2.5B When nutrient cycles become disrupted and there is no dissolved oxygen in the receiving water, these waters become septic, stink and look terrible. 2.6A NPDES stands for National Pollution Discharge Elimin tion System. ATIONAL OLLUTANT ISCHARGE LIMINATION24 Treatment Plants OBJECTIVE TEST Chapter 2. WHY TREAT WASTES? Please mark correct answers in the proper columns on the answer sheet, as directed at the end of Chapter 1. Return your answer sheet to your project Director. 1. Wastes are treated to do which of the following? 1. Prevent potiution 2. Prevent receiving waters from stinking 3. Protect human health 4. Remove harmful wastes from wastewater 2, Diseases possibly spread by wastewater discharges in- clude 1. Cholera, 4. Q Fever. 2. Dysentery. 5. Typhoid. 3. Hepatitis. (Jaundice) 8. Pathogenic bacteria are 1. Disease causing. 4. Inorganic. 2. Dissolved gases. 5. None of these 3, Easy to see, ‘4. What does an Imhotf Cone measure? 1. Colloidal Solids 4. Setleable Solids 2. Dissolved Solids 5. Total Solids 3. Organie Solids ‘Match the definitions on the following page by placing the ‘correct number from the column on the right in the proper ‘space in front of the definition. EXAMPLE, 1. MPL, 2 Milligrams per iter. 2 mgt 3. MPN. ~ Mark Column 2 on your answer sheet: 3 4 2 i i 5. Bacteria which obtain their) ‘oxygen by breaking down) chemical compounds which) contain oxygen, such as.) 1. Aerobic sulfate (SOq). Bacteria ) 2. Anaerobic 6. ___ Bacteria which wil live and Bacteria reproduce only in an environ- ) 3, Inorganic ‘ment containing atmospheric Waste ‘oxygen or oxygen dissolved) 4. Organic in water )5. Radioactive Waste material which comes from animal or vegetable 8X process which kits ) disease-causing bacteria.) } 1. Disinootion 9. Any discharge of waste) 2. Nutnents that reduces receiving ) 3. Pathogenic: water quality indicators Bactena Below the established )[Link] water uty sonéerts, 5 Plston 10. _____ Bacteria which can cause ) disease ) 11, Natural cycles could refer to which of the following? 1. Effluent cycles 2: Life cycles of aquatic organisms 3. Natural purification cycles. 4. Nutrient cycles 5. Sludge cycles 12, Effluent limitations that may be specified in an NPDES Permit include 1, Acceptable range of pH values. 2. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) 3. Most probable number (MPN) of coliform group bac- teria, 4. Suspended solids (nontiterable residue) 5. Toxic substances. END OF OBJECTIVE TESTCHAPTER 3 WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES by John Brady William Crooks26 Treatment Plants TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 3. Wastewater Treatment Facilities GLOSSARY. D 3.0 Collection, Treatment, Disposal 3.1 Collection of Wastewater 8.10 Sanitary, Storm, and Combined Sewers 3.2 Treatment Plants . 3.3 Protreatment . 3.30 Purpose 3.31 Screening . 8:32 Shredding 3.93. Grit Chambers or Grit Channel 3.4 Flow-Measuring Devices .... 35 Primary Treatment . 3.8 Secondary Treatment ..... 3.60 Purpose 3.61. Tricking Fitter 3,62 Rotating Biological Contactors . 3.63. Activated Sludge .. 3.64 Secondary Clarifiers... pease eeeeeeeeseaed 3.7 Solids Handing and Disposal 45 3.70 Purpose 45 8.71 Digestion and Dewatering ..... S72) lncnolon 3.8 Waste Treatment Ponds .. 3.9 Advanced Methods of Treating Wastowater «........- 3A Disinfection ......2-eeseeeeee 3.11 Effluent Disposal 3.12. Solids Disposal 3.13 Additional Reading .Treatment Facilities 27 GLOSSARY Chapter 3. WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES. BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (600) BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND ‘The rate at which microorganisms use the oxygen in water or wastewater while stabilizing decomposable organic matter under aerobic conditions. In decomposition, organic matter serves as food for the bacteria and energy results from its oxidation BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (BOD) TEST DEMAND (BOD)TEST ‘A procedure that measures the rate of oxygen use under controlled conditions of time and temperature. Standard test conditions Include dark incubation at 20°C for a specified time (usually five days) COMBINED SEWER COMBINED SEWER, ‘A sewer designed to carry both sanitary wastewaters and storm- or surlace-water runoft COMMINUTION (com-mi-NEW-shun) ‘COMMINUTION ‘Shredding, A mechanical treatment process which cuts large pieces of wastes into smaller pieces so they won't plug pipes or damage equipment. COMMINUTION and SHREDDING usually mean the same thing. DETENTION TIME DETENTION TIME The time required to fil a tank at a given fiow or the theoretical time required fora given flow of wastewater to pass through a tank. DEWATER, DEWATER To remove or separate a portion of the water present in a sludge or slurry. EFFLUENT (EF-uent) EFFLUENT ‘Wastewater or other liquid — raw, partially or completely rated — flowing FROM a basin, treatment process, or treatment plant FACULTATIVE POND (FACK-u-TAY-tive) FACULTATIVE POND “The most common type of pond in current use. The upper portion (supematant) is aerobic, while the bottom layer is anaerobic. ‘Algae supply most of the oxygen to the supernatant. ert Grit ‘The heavy mineral material present in wastewater, such as sand, gravel, cinders, and eggshells. HEADWORKS: HEADWORKS ‘The facilities where wastewater enters a wastewater treatment plant. The headworks may consist of bar screens, comminutors, @ wet well and pumps. INFILTRATION (IN-l-TRAY-shun) INFILTRATION ‘The seapage of groundwater into a sewer system, including service connections. Seepage frequently occurs through defective or ‘cracked pipes, pipe joints, connections or manhole walls. INFLOW INFLOW Waler discharged into the sewer system from sources other than regular connections. This includes flow from yard drains, foundations and around manhole covers. Inflow difers from infiltration in that itis a direct discharge into the sewer rather than a leak in the sewer itself INFLUENT (IN-flu-ont) INFLUENT ‘Wastewater or other liquid — raw or partially treated — flowing INTO a reservoir, basin, treatment process, or treatment plant.28 Treatment Plants MEDIA MEDIA ‘The material in a tricking fiter on which slime organisms grow. As settled wastewaler trickles over the media, slime organisms remove coain types of wastes thereby patally rating the wastewater. Also the material in a elating Blegcl contactor oh a ‘gravity oF pressure fier. PHOTOSYNTHESIS (foto-SIN-tha-sis) PHOTOSYNTHESIS ‘A process in which organisms with the aid of chlorophyll (green plant enzyme) convert carbon dioxide and inorganic substances to ‘oxygen and additional plant material, utiizing sunlight for energy. All green plants grow by this process. PRIMARY TREATMENT PRIMARY TREATMENT ‘A wastewater treatment process that takes place in a rectangular or circular tank and allows those substances in wastowator that really set or float to be separated from the water being treated. SANITARY SEWER (SAN-oh-taro-oe SUE-e1) SANITARY SEWER, ‘A sewer intended to carry wastewater from homes, businesses, and industries. Storm water runoff should be collected and transported in a separate system of pipes. SECONDARY TREATMENT ‘SECONDARY TREATMENT ‘A wastewater treatment process used to convert dissolved or suspended materials into a form more readily separated from the ‘water being treated. Usually the process follows primary treatment by sedimentation. The process commonly isa type of biological ttealment process followed by secondary clariers that alow the solids to settle out from the water being treated ‘SHREDDING ‘SHREDDING ‘Comminution. A mechanical treatment process which cuts large pieces of wastes into small piaces 80 they won't plug pipes or damage equipment. SHREDDING and COMMINUTION usually mean the same thing, SLUDGE (siuj) SLUDGE [The setleabe sols separated trom iquds dung processing orth deposits of fregn materials on botloms of stroams or other je of wat ‘STORM SEWER ‘STORM SEWER {A separate sewer that carries runot! from storms, surface drainage, and street wash, but does not include domestic and industrial wastes. ‘SUPERNATANT (sue-per-NAY-tent) ‘SUPERNATANT Liquid removed from settied siudgo. Supernatant commonly refers to the liquid between the sludge on the bottom and the scum on the surface of an anaerobic digester. This liquid is usually returned to the influent wet well or to the primary clarifier. WEIR (weer) WEIR (1) A wall of plate placed in an open channel and used to measure the flow. The depth of the flow over the weir can be used to Calculate the flow rate, or a chart or conversion table may be used. (2) A wall or obstruction used lo control flow (from clarifiers) to assure uniform flow and avoid short-circuiting. WET OXIDATION WET OXIDATION ‘A method of treating or conditioning sludge before the water is removed. Compressed air is blown into the liquid sludge. The air and sludge mixture is fed into a pressure vessel where the organic material is stabilized. The stabilized organic material and inert (inorganic) solids are then separated from the pressure vessel effluent by dewatering in lagoons or by mechanical means. WET WELL. WET WELL ‘A compartment or room in which wastewater is collected. The suction pipe of a pump may be connected to the wet well or a ‘submersible pump may be located in the wet well.Treatment Facilities 29 CHAPTER 3. WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES 3.0 COLLECTION, TREATMENT, DISPOSAL Facilities for handling wastewater are usually considered to hhave thrae major components or parts: collection, treatment, and disposal. For a municipality, these components make up the wastewater facies; but for an individual industry which, ‘handles its own wastewater, the same three components are. necessary. This training course is directed primarily to plant ‘operators for municipalities, so the discussion in this and later, chapters will be in terms of municipal wastewater treatment facies, Trestment of instal wastes is scussed in Chap- ter 28. 3.1 COLLECTION OF WASTEWATER Collection and transportation of wastewater tothe treatment plant is accomplished through a complex network of pipes and pumps of many sizes. Major water-using industries which contribute waste to the collection system may affect the efficiency of a wastewater treatment plant, especially i there are periods during the day ‘oF during the year when those industrial waste flows are a major load on the plant. For instance, canneries are highly ‘seasonal in their operations; therefore, it is possible to predict ‘the time of year to expect large flows from them. A knowledge Of the location, amount, and types of wastes from commercial ‘and industrial dischargers in the collection system may enable fan operator to locate the source of a problem in the plant INFLUENT,’ such as oil from a refinery or a gas station. ‘The longth of time required for wastes to reach your plant can also affect treatment plant efficiency. Hydrogen sulfde gas ("otten egg gas) may be released by anaerobic bacteria feed Ing on the wastes ifthe flow time is quite long and the weather, is hot; this can cause odor problems, damage concrete in your, plant, and make the wastes mora difficult to treat, (Solids won't Sotto easily, for instance.) Wastes from isolated subdivisions located far away from the main collection network often have this “aging” problem. 3.10 Sanitary, Storm, and Combined Sewers For most sewerage systems, the sewer coming into the treatment plant carries wastes from households and commer- cial establishments in the city or district, and possibly some industrial wastes. This type of sewer is called a SANITARY ‘SEWER.2 Al storm runoff from streets, land, and roofs of build- ings is collected separately in a STORM SEWER. which nor- mally discharges to a water course without treatment. in some areas only one network of sewers has been laid out beneath the city to pick up both sanitary wastes and storm water in a COMBINED SEWER.* Treatment plants that are designed to handle the sanitary porion of the wastes somelimes must be bypassed during storms due to inadequate capacity, allowing untreated wastes to be discharged into receiving waters. Sep- aration of combined sewers into sanitary and storm sewers is. very costly and dificult to accomplish. Even jn areas where the sanitary and storm sewers are separate, INFILTRATION? of groundwater or storm water into ‘sanitary sewers through breaks or open joints can cause high flow problems at the treatment plant, Replacement or seal of leaky sections of sewer pipe is called for in these cases. The Fig. 3.1 Manholes allow inspection of the collection system "iniuant (IN-fu-ont). Wastewater or other liquid ~ raw or partly treated ~ flowing INTO a reservoir, basin, treatment process, or treatment lant * Sanitary Sewer (SAN-eh-tare-06 SUE-er. A sewer intonded to carry wastewater from homes, businesses, and industries. Storm water ‘runolt should be collected and transported in a separate system of pipes. 2 Siorm Sewer. “A separate sewer that carries runot from storms, surface drainage, and street wash, but does not Include domestic end industrial wastes. 1 Cabins Sowa, soar deine to cay bth santana ard sam rte wat nna *ltraion (NBL-TRAY-ahun).- The seopage of grounaweter mio 2 sewer system, including sorco conectos. frequen ‘occurs through defective or cracked pipes, pipe joints, connections or manhole walls. a ae30. Treatment Plants treatment plant operator is generally the first to know about infitration problems because of the unusually high flows ob- served at the plant during periods of storm water runott. Sanitary sewers are normally placed at a slope sulficient 0 produce a water velocity (speed) of approximately two feet per ‘Second when flowing ful. This velocity will usually prevent the >| ~ a SOLIDS 70 BURIAL nal 7 | ~~ > > PROFILE SLUDGE TO DIGESTER (SIDE VIEW) NOTE: SOLIDS FLOW NOT SHOWN, SEE SECTION 3.7 SE soniioey jwounwey Fig. 3.5. Possible flow pattern through a trickling fter plantCHAPS cuar.t0 cHap.13 ‘TRICKLING FILTER PROCESS DISINFECTION EFFLUENT DISPOSAL, TRICKLING SECONDARY FILTER CLARIFIER CHLORINE — (for view) pump RECIRCULATION MIXING o“ 4y CHLORINE * aoty. Sf" SLUDGE TO PRIMARY jOFILE ‘SEDIMENTATION LE. TANK INLET (SIDE VIEW ote: RECIRCULATION ‘SOLIDS FLOW NOT SHOWN, ee SEE SECTION 3.7 Fig. 3.5. (Con’d) Possible flow pattern through a trickling fier plant Squp|d WeUNEeLL yeCHAPS Har. Punt contac INFLUENT FLOW METER, PRIMARY a aoa BARRACKS yer WELL) GRIT CHANNEL COMMINUTOR —PARSHALL FLUME CLARIFIER NEXT PAGE couuEcrion scuM SS PLAN (ror view) SCUM TO DIGESTER, OR To BURIAL Grit To BURIAL PROFILE SLUDGE TO (SIDE VIEW) DIGESTER, SOLIDS TO BURIAL yi NOTE: SOLIDS FLOW NOT SHOWN, SEE SECTION 3.7 Fig. 3.6 Possible flow pattem through an activated sludge Se sonmisey jouneesy,CHAP. BAND 11 CHAP. 10 our. 13 [ACTIVATED SLUOGE PROCESS SECONDARY eFFLUENT [AERATION TANK CLARIFIER DISINFECTION DISPOSAL, CHLORINE > (TOP VIEW — RETURN ACTIVATED SLUDGE (RAS) TO AERATION TANK WASTE ACTIVATED SLUDGE (WAS) TO PRIMARY CLARIFIER INLET NOTE: SOLIDS FLOW NOT SHOWN, PROFILE SEE SECTION 3.7 GIDE view Fig. 3.6 (Con'd) Possible flow pattem through an activated ‘sludge plant Squgig jwouneeLL oe‘Advanced methods of waste treatment are being developed tor general cleanup of wastewater or removal of substances Not removed by conventional treatment processes. They may follow the treatment processes previously described, or they may be used instead of them. Before treated wastewater is discharged to the receiving waters, it should be disinlacted to prevent the spread of dis- ‘ease. Chiorine is usually added for disinfection purposes. After the chlorine contact basin, sulfur dioxide (SO) may be added to the EFFLUENT? to neutralize the chlorine and thus detoxify the effluent. In the following sections these treatment processes will be billy discussed to provide an overall concept of a treatment plant. Details will be presented in later chapters to provide ‘complete information on each of these processes. 3.3. PRETREATMENT (Chapter 4) 3.30 Purpose Pretreatment processes commonly consist of screening (Fig. 3.7), SHREDDING,’ and grit removal to separate coarse ‘material from the wastewater being treated, Lt ee to] Gor) Plattorm PLAN Bor Seréae Treatment Facilities 37 Fig. 3.7 Screened & ground 331 Screening Wastewater flowing into the treatment plant will occasionally ‘contain pieces of wood, roots, rags, and other debris. To pro- tect equipment and reduce any interference with in-plant flow, debris and trash are usually removed by a bar screen (Fig, 3.8). Most screens in treatment plants consist of parallel bars placed at an angle in a channel in such a manner that the ‘wastewater flows through the bars. Trash collects on the bars ‘and is periodically raked off by hand or by mechanical means, ln most plants these screenings are disposed of by burying or ‘buming. In some cases they are automatically ground and retumed to the wastewater flow for removal by a later process. Fig. 38 Bar screens Eituent (EF-u-ent). Wastewater or other liquid ~ raw, partialy or completely roated - flowing FROM a basin, treatment process, or ‘weatment plant. 1 Shredding. - Comminution. A mechanical treament process which cuts large pieces of wastes into smaller pieces 80 they won't pug pipes ‘or damage aquipmant. SHREDDING and COMMINUTION usialy mean the tame thing38 Treatment Plants 3.92 Shredding Devices are also available which cut up or shred material while it remains in the wastewater stream. The most common, Of these are the barminutor (Fig. 3.9) and the comminulor (Fig. 3.10). One of these devices usually follows a bar screen. io Fig. 3.9 Barminutor Fig. 3.10 Comminutor (Coienycrcage Pane) 3.33 Grit Chambers or Grit Channels Most sewer pipes are laid al a slope steep enough to main- tain a wastewater flow of two feet per second ({ps). If the Velocity is reduced slightly below that, say to 1.5 fps, some of the larger, heavier particles will setie out. If the velocity is, reduced to about 1 fps, hoavy inorganic matarial such as sand, eggshells, and cinders will settle; but the lighter organic mate- ‘ial will remain in suspension. The settled inorganic material is reterred to as GRIT-® Grit should be removed (Fig. 3.11) early In the treatment process because itis abrasive and will rapidly Wear out pumps and other equipment. Since itis mostly inor- ‘anic, it cannot be broken down by any biological treatment Process and thus should be removed as soon as possible. Grit is usually removed in a long, narrow trough called a “grit channel” (Fig. 3.12). A grit channel is 10 provide a flow-through velocity of 1 fps. The settled grt may be removed either manually or mechanically. Since there is normally some ‘organic solid material deposited along with the grit itis usually buried to avoid nuisance conditions. Some planis are equipped with “grit washers” that remove some of the organic material from the grit so that organic solids can remain in the main waste flow to be treated. Fig. 3.11 Removal of eggshells (Don't remove grit with your bare hands) A Many treatment plants have aerated grit chambers in which compressed air is added through difusers to provide better separation of grit and other solids. Aeration in this manner also “frechone" a “etalo” or septic wastowator, helping to provent ‘odors and to assist the biological treatment process. Fig. 3.12 Grit channel WPCF MOP No.1 QUESTIONS Write your answers in a notebook and then compare your angwers with those on page 52. 3.38 Why is grit removed earfy in the treatment process? 3.38 What is usually done with grit which has been removed. ‘rom the wastewater? 3.4 FLOW-MEASURING DEVICES Although flow-measuring davicns are not for TREATING ‘wastes, itis necessary to know the quantity of wastewater flow ‘80 adjustments can be made on pumping rates, chlorination rates, aeration rates, and other processes in the plant. Flow rates must be known, also, for calculation of loadings on treat- ‘ment processes and treatment efficiency. Most operators pre- fer to have a measuring device at the HEADWORKS? of their treatment plant. The most common measuring device is a Parshall Flume. Basically itis a narrow place in an open channel which allows the quantity of flow to be determined by measuring the depth of flow. This method is widely used for measuring wastewater ‘because its smooth constriction does not offer any protruding ‘sharp edges or areas where wastewater particles may catch or coolect behind the metering device. {The heavy mineral present in wastewater, such as sand, gravel, cinders, and eggshells. “Hoadworks. Tho facies where wastewater enters a wastewater treatment plant. The headworks may consist of bar sereans, com. ‘minutos, & wet well and pumps.