Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour - "Flush To Finish"

Summary

This video provides a comprehensive overview of the wastewater treatment process, detailing how sewage is collected, treated, and ultimately released into the environment. It begins with the journey of wastewater from homes to treatment plants, highlighting key stages such as screening, grit removal, and biological treatment using bacteria to break down waste. The process includes final clarification and UV disinfection to ensure water quality standards are met. The facility's commitment to maintaining infrastructure and managing sludge efficiently demonstrates the essential role it plays in protecting public health and the environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Wastewater treatment begins once waste is flushed, traveling through pipes to a treatment plant.
• 🚰 The treatment plant processes wastewater from residential, industrial, and commercial sources.
• 🧹 Bar screens remove large solids like diapers and bricks from the wastewater.
• 💧 Wastewater is mostly water (99.8%) with only a small percentage being solid materials.
• 🔄 Lift stations pump wastewater when gravity flow is insufficient due to terrain.
• ⚠️ Hydrogen sulfide levels are monitored to prevent dangerous concentrations during treatment.
• 🌊 The primary clarifiers allow solids to settle out of the wastewater, removing a significant portion of suspended solids.
• 🐛 The secondary treatment process uses natural bacteria to break down organic material and remove nitrogen.
• 🌱 The aeration basins are crucial for nurturing bacteria that help treat the wastewater effectively.
• 🚛 Dewatered sludge is transported to landfills, minimizing weight and cost for disposal.

Q & A

What happens to wastewater after it is flushed?

After flushing, wastewater travels down a lateral pipe into a main pipe, where gravity moves it toward the wastewater treatment plant.

How does the treatment plant ensure the quality of discharged water?

The plant treats wastewater to standards set by the DEQ, with processes that can make the water quality comparable to drinking water.

What role do lift stations play in wastewater management?

Lift stations use pumps to raise wastewater to a higher elevation, allowing gravity to continue moving it toward the treatment plant when gravity flow is not practical.

What types of debris are commonly found in the wastewater collection system?

Common debris includes diapers, bricks, toys, and other large solids that must be removed using bar screens and mechanical rake systems.

What is the significance of grease balls in the wastewater system?

Grease balls form from grease dumped down drains and can clog pumps, requiring regular removal by staff to prevent damage.

How is nitrogen removed during the treatment process?

Nitrogen is removed in an aeration basin where bacteria break down ammonia into nitrates, and a recycling process helps convert nitrates back into nitrogen gas.

What technologies are used to disinfect the treated water?

The facility uses UV disinfection, which is a safe and efficient method to eliminate harmful microorganisms in the effluent before it is discharged.

What happens to the solids removed during treatment?

The solids are stored in holding tanks, aerated, dewatered, and then transported to a landfill as sludge.

Why is redundancy important in the wastewater treatment process?

Redundancy ensures that there is backup power and equipment in place to prevent sewage backups and maintain continuous operation during failures.

What is the final effluent quality after treatment?

The final effluent typically has less than 10 mg/L suspended solids and BOD, with ammonia levels generally below half a part per million.