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 [email protected]
Thanks!