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