Decentralized Wastewater Management
Collection, Treatment, and in-ground reuse NEAR the point of generation.
Minimizes wastewater: Volumes Infrastructure Costs
Facilitates “smart growth” concepts
Enhances property value and “livability”
A Hybrid Sewer System
Septic tanks for solids removal Small diameter sewer lines
(2”-4” PVC pipe)
Low O&M treatment system serving multiple homes
In-ground disposal/reuse (UIC permit)
Minimizes capital and O&M costs
Decentralized Wastewater Management….
Is a perfect fit for…• Watershed protection• Minimization of wastewater
infrastructure and costs• Smart growth• Property value enhancement• Community Pride
Key Concepts of Decentralized Systems
Minimization of collection system
Use of simple, low O&M treatment technologies
Minimization of solids handling
Use of localized disposal and/or reuse of the treated wastewater
Public and Private Utilities, Nationwide are Implementing
Decentralized Systems
Mobile, AL (2 utilities) Jefferson Co., AL (Birmingham
Area) Oregon, Illinois, Washington,
Missouri, Tennessee, Massachusetts, etc.
Decentralized Sewer Model… Pretreatment – interceptor tanks Collection – short length, small
diameter Treatment –simple, low O&M In-ground reuse
Regulated Utility Managed (ADEM Permitted)• Construction specs• Treatment system operation• Long-Term collection and treatment
system maintenance, including septage management
• Billing
Traditional “Centralized” Sewer
Traditional “Centralized” Sewer
Characterized by….• Long lengths of pipe• Large diameter pipes
To handle large flows and solids• Subject to infiltration and inflow (rain water)• Large, complex treatment plants• Discharge of effluents to surface waters
• Costly $$$$
Decentralized Sewer
“Decentralized” Sewer
Characterized by….• Smaller volumes• Shorter lengths of pipe• Small diameter pipes
Smaller flows, little or no solids• Simple treatment plants
Little or no solids handling, high quality effluents• In-ground disposal or reuse of effluents • More cost-effective• Utility Managed!
Mobile, AL
13 “cluster” systems in operation• Commercial, residential, and
schools• 10,000 gpd to 60,000 gpd• 45 to 270 homes (each system)• 1665 home equivalent (total)
Owned and Operated by 3 different public utilities
Mobile Systems Consist of:
Effluent Sewer• interceptor tanks• Collection…short lengths, small
diameter
Treatment –simple, attached growth, low O&M
In-ground disposal or reuse• UIC Permits (State
EPA…>10,000 gpd)
Utility management• Construction specs
Cluster System
Effluent Sewer(one type of alternative collection)
Septic tank at each home removes solids (and liquifies) Liquids only are transported in the sewer Small-diameter (2” to 4” pvc) sewers are the norm
Source: Orenco Systems,Inc.
Johnson Road Home
Septic tank in front yard
Control panel
PresenterPresentation NotesSatisfied with STEP technology, they are planning to meet the building demands of the future and will be able to reach out 5 to 6 miles and accommodate the needs for sewer for years to come
Septic Tank(Showing Effluent Filter and Pump)
Septic Tank
(to intercept & liquify solids)
Effluent Filter & Pump
Orenco Systems, Inc.
In-tank effluent filter and pump vault
Treatment System Technologies(many types available)
• Highly efficient• Small Footprint• Low solids production• Cost effective
Lotus “Active-Cell” (by Aquapoint)
Fluidized, fixed-film reactor
Lotus “Active-Cell”Aerobic Basin and Fluidized Media Bed
Aquapoint BioclereAttached Growth
Bioclere O&M1. What equipment is required for typical operation &
maintenance?
A Sludge Judge will allow you to determine the depth of the sludge blanket in any tank where sludge is stored.
A Bottle Brush is required for Bioclere operations and is used to clean the dosing array spray nozzles.
An Amp Meter will allow you the check pump amperage to ensure their functionality without having to pull them out of the Bioclere, Lotus or other Aquapoint treatment equipment.
A pH, Ammonia, Nitrate and Alkalinity kit will help you perform quick field tests to determine influent and effluent wastewater conditions.
A small Spare Parts inventory is recommended so that if a piece of equipment needs to be replaced it can be done in a timely manor.
Bioclere O&M (cont.)
2. How often do I pump the primary or septic tank?The primary tank should be pumped once the sludge has reached 1/3 the liquid depth. Sludge depth can be determined using a sludge judge. Sludge accumulation and pumping frequency depends on the tank volume and the organic loading to the treatment system.
3. How often do I clean the Bioclere spray nozzles?Nozzle cleaning frequency is a function of organic and hydraulic loading to the plant. Cleaning the nozzles once a month is usually sufficient for most applications.
Biomicrobics FASTAerated Fixed-Film
Delta Biopodaerated fixed-film
Recirculating Sand Filter Module Schematic
Recirculation
Tank Schematic Courtesy of Orenco Systems
In fromSeptic tank
To subsurfaceDisposal
INSTALLATION OF RECIRCULATION TANKS (2-30,000 GALLONS)
LEVELING OF RECIRCULATION
TANKS
Recirculating Sand Filter (Wastewater Treatment)
Textile Media Filter Treatment(an inside look)
Ball valves (for flushing)
Orifice and splash cap
Champion Hills WWTF – 30,000 gpd
PresenterPresentation NotesHelpful to the growth and development of SAU systems is that they have this basic 30,000 gpd system with 9 podsThey plan for Phase 1 to be duplicated in Phase 2 as the subdivisions grow and more treatment is needed in that subdivision or in the area
Simple, Textile Media Treatment(30,000 gpd…150 homes)
PresenterPresentation NotesHere is a ground level view of this standard SAU system
Copeland Island Residential Development(West Mobile, AL…220+ homes on decentralized sewer)
Dauphin Environmental Equipment, LLC
PresenterPresentation NotesHaving shown you the systems for 4 Mobile County Public Schools, it is time to move and show you Copeland Island SubdivisionIt is the first subdivision of the 12 or more we now haveCopeland Island came on-line in 2001In 2 years, 100 plus houses were sold and the original 20,000 gpd system was expanded in Phase 2 to 50,000 gpd to allow expansion in the development up to 350 housesThere are now 165 houses SOLD and on-line
BODCopeland Island RSF
Flow: 6000 to 11,000 gpd
199 189172
116135
153
104121
148169
152
209
164
10 12 7 4 7 5 8 1220 12 5 4 3
0
50
100
150
200
250
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
Month
BO
D, m
g/L
BODinBODout
Chart1
AugAug
SepSep
OctOct
NovNov
DecDec
JanJan
FebFeb
MarMar
AprApr
MayMay
JunJun
JulJul
AugAug
BODin
BODout
Month
BOD, mg/L
Flow: 6000 to 11,000 gpd
199
10
189
12
172
7
116
4
135
7
153
5
104
8
121
12
148
20
169
12
152
5
209
4
164
3
JAN 02
FEB 02
COPELAND ISLAND ON-SITE WWTF
LABORATORY RESULTSFeb-02
Suspended SolidsBOD
pHNH3-NNH3-N
DateEffluentInfluentEffluentInfluentEffluentInfluentEffluentCOMMENTS
1
2
3
4
5
63218906240.584
7
8
9
10
11
12
133061051320.50.543
14
15
16
17
18
19
20317095430.90.8015
21
22
23
24
25
26
273512125828.050.856
28
Avg0.003226.5104825.860.70
Max035701251330.90.856
Min030690420.50.543
MAR 02
COPELAND ISLAND ON-SITE WWTF
LABORATORY RESULTSMar-02
Suspended SolidsBOD
pHNH3-NNH3-N
DateEffluentInfluentEffluentInfluentEffluentInfluentEffluentCOMMENTS
1
2
3
4
5
66234901653.32.82
7
8
9
10
11
12
13489145525.81.27
14
15
16
17
18
19
204115113012371.01
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
2839191201381.150.696
29
30
31
Avg0.004853.251211249.310.23
Max0621511451681.152.82
Min039990525.8
Subsurface Drip Irrigation(Small amounts of Treated Effluent Supplied to Plant Roots)
Subsurface Drip Reuse…Parks
Subsurface Drip Reuse…Landscaping & Trails
Decentralized Cluster System
O&M Costs
Power (20,000 gpd…~90 homes) $70/mo.Weekly/Monthly samplingUpkeep (grass mowing)Personnel (part-time employee…1 day/week)Tank solids management (once every 7 years on average)
$20-$22/month per home (actual O&M cost)$35-$40/month per home (sewer fee)
Utility Management Model Developer
• Pays utility $500 to $3000 per lot—for WWTF• Deeds land for WWTF to utility• Installs sewer main in development (2”-4”
line)• Pays “tap fee” ($1700-$3200) as each house is
sold• For STEP or STEG system, onsite
Utility• Builds and operates WWTF• Installs and maintains STEP or STEG systems
onsite
Homeowner• Pays a monthly sewer fee ($30-$40/month)
Decentralized Wastewater ManagementSummary
Smaller scale wastewater management Lesser infrastructure and cost Protects public health & the environment Can enhance property values and livability Follows “smart growth” ideals
Decentralized Wastewater Management�A Hybrid Sewer SystemDecentralized Wastewater Management….Key Concepts of Decentralized SystemsPublic and Private Utilities, Nationwide are Implementing Decentralized SystemsDecentralized Sewer Model…Slide Number 7Traditional “Centralized” SewerSlide Number 9“Decentralized” SewerMobile, ALMobile Systems Consist of: Cluster SystemEffluent Sewer�(one type of alternative collection)Johnson Road HomeSlide Number 16In-tank effluent filter and pump vaultTreatment System Technologies�(many types available)Lotus “Active-Cell”�Aerobic Basin and Fluidized Media BedAquapoint Bioclere�Attached GrowthBioclere O&MBioclere O&M (cont.)Biomicrobics FAST�Aerated Fixed-FilmDelta Biopod�aerated fixed-filmSlide Number 25Slide Number 26Slide Number 27Textile Media Filter Treatment�(an inside look)Champion Hills WWTF – 30,000 gpdSimple, Textile Media Treatment�(30,000 gpd…150 homes)Copeland Island Residential Development�(West Mobile, AL…220+ homes on decentralized sewer)BOD�Copeland Island RSFSubsurface Drip Irrigation�(Small amounts of Treated Effluent Supplied to Plant Roots)Subsurface Drip Reuse…ParksSubsurface Drip Reuse…�Landscaping & TrailsSlide Number 36Utility Management ModelDecentralized Wastewater Management�Summary