Flushed! (Because “Finding Nemo” Was Already Taken) Jamie Malpede

Source Control Supervisor

Disclaimers

1. Some may find this subject matter gross and distasteful. Viewer discretion is advised. 2. Lawyers.

Types of Non-Dispersibles 1. Personal Care Products

– Feminine care products – Medical waste, contraception – Baby products – Toilet paper substitutes (wipes, paper towels) – Microbeads from toothpaste, scrubs, etc.

Types of Non-Dispersibles

2. Food and Kitchen Waste – FOG – Food grinder waste – Food wrappers and packaging – Peels and cores

Type of Non-Dispersibles

3. Everything else that fits in a toilet or manhole – Clothing- under garments, pants – Sheets – Evidence – What?!

2 Treatment Plants Over 200 MGD

Plant 1 Fountain Valley

117 MGD

Plant 2 Huntington Beach

65-70 MGD

Where’s the problem? • Private laterals • OCSD assets

– Collection system and pump stations – Preliminary treatment (bar screens) – Biosolids – Water reuse and reclamation

Overview of OCSD Processes

OCWD

Residential Commercial

Industrial

Source Inspection Wastewater

Treatment Ocean Discharge

Water reclamation (GWRS) (70-100 MGD)

Biosolids recycling (775 tons/day)

Clogged Lateral

Pump Station

OCSD Sewer Lines

Grit Dumping and Drying Beds

Diverts approximately 118 yards3 of grit per year from member cities and agencies instead of pushing it through the sewer system to OCSD treatment plants.

Preliminary Treatment

Bar Screens

Conveyor Belt to Bins

Grit Bins

Lanfilled • Approximately 8 tons per day • Bins are changed out once per day • Annual cost is approximately $369,000 per year

What is the most effective and cost prohibitive way to combat non-

dispersibles in the collection system?

• Mechanical- Grinders, “Muffin Monster” – OCSD ordinance prohibits installation

• Man power- Operators, Collection Crews – In 2011, $320,000/year in labor costs

to “de-rag” 10 OCSD pump stations – Staff needed to monitor bins

Physical methods

What is the most effective and cost prohibitive way to combat non-

dispersibles in the collection system?

• Legislation – Example: Microbeads ban in PCP – How did it succeed?

• Litigation – Class action lawsuits

• Education

Administrative Methods

Strategy 1. Education in heavy doses. 2. Improved products and better on-label disposal

instructions. 3. Mechanical solutions to be deployed if needed. Ted J. Rulseh, Editor · Treatment Plant Operator magazine, December 2015 (tpomag.com)

Flushable vs. Dispersible

No Federal agency defining “Flushable” • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Example: “Natural” products Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA)

– Code of Practice (2013) • 7 tests in Technical Flushability Assessment • “Do Not Flush” label

INDA Definition

Advertising and Labeling

Good Enough?

True?

What?

Simple Test to Measure Dispersibility

After 2 minutes toilet paper readily breaks down

Forensics Source Control staff investigations: • Trace back to the source • Determine what we are getting in our assets

Aubrey Strause, Connecticut study

Conclusion • Need to look beyond just wipes. • The problem is more about “everything else.” • Education

The 3 P’s

More Information

www.ocsewers.com www.What2Flush.com www.nacwa.org/flushables National Pretreatment & Pollution Prevention Workshop and Training Hilton Long Beach May 16th-20th Aubrey Strause (Verandant Water)

Flushed! Questions?

Jamie Malpede Source Control Supervisor

Orange County Sanitation District jmalpede@ocsd.com

Thanks!