Decentralized Wastewater Management Collection, Treatment, and in-ground reuse Collection, Treatment, and in-ground reuse

NEARNEAR the point of generation. the point of generation.

Minimizes wastewater:Minimizes wastewater: VolumesVolumes InfrastructureInfrastructure CostsCosts

Facilitates “smart growth” conceptsFacilitates “smart growth” concepts

Enhances property value and “livability”Enhances property value and “livability”

A Hybrid Sewer SystemA Hybrid Sewer System

Septic tanks for solids removalSeptic tanks for solids removal Small diameter sewer linesSmall diameter sewer lines

(2”-4” PVC pipe)(2”-4” PVC pipe)

Low O&M treatment system serving Low O&M treatment system serving multiple homesmultiple homes

In-ground disposal/reuseIn-ground disposal/reuse (UIC permit)(UIC permit)

Minimizes capital and O&M costsMinimizes capital and O&M costs

Decentralized Wastewater Decentralized Wastewater Management….Management….

Is a perfect fit for…Is a perfect fit for…• Watershed protectionWatershed protection• Minimization of wastewater Minimization of wastewater

infrastructure and costsinfrastructure and costs• Smart growthSmart growth• Property value enhancementProperty value enhancement• Community PrideCommunity Pride

Key Concepts of Decentralized Key Concepts of Decentralized SystemsSystems

Minimization of collection systemMinimization of collection system

Use of simple, low O&M treatment Use of simple, low O&M treatment technologiestechnologies

Minimization of solids handlingMinimization of solids handling

Use of localized disposal and/or reuse Use of localized disposal and/or reuse of the treated wastewaterof the treated wastewater

Public and Private Utilities, Public and Private Utilities, Nationwide are Implementing Nationwide are Implementing

Decentralized SystemsDecentralized Systems

Mobile, AL (2 utilities)Mobile, AL (2 utilities) Jefferson Co., AL (Birmingham Area)Jefferson Co., AL (Birmingham Area) Oregon, Illinois, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Washington,

Missouri, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Missouri, Tennessee, Massachusetts, etc.etc.

Decentralized Sewer Model…Decentralized Sewer Model… Pretreatment – Pretreatment – interceptor tanksinterceptor tanks Collection – Collection – short length, small short length, small

diameter diameter Treatment –Treatment –simple, low O&Msimple, low O&M In-ground reuseIn-ground reuse

Regulated Utility Managed (ADEM Regulated Utility Managed (ADEM Permitted)Permitted)• Construction specsConstruction specs• Treatment system operationTreatment system operation• Long-Term collection and treatment system Long-Term collection and treatment system

maintenance, including septage managementmaintenance, including septage management• BillingBilling

Traditional “Centralized” Sewer

Traditional “Traditional “CentralizedCentralized” Sewer” Sewer

Characterized by….Characterized by….• Long lengths of pipeLong lengths of pipe• Large diameter pipesLarge diameter pipes

To handle large flows and solidsTo handle large flows and solids

• Subject to infiltration and inflow (rain water)Subject to infiltration and inflow (rain water)• Large, complex treatment plantsLarge, complex treatment plants• Discharge of effluents to surface waters Discharge of effluents to surface waters

• Costly $$$$Costly $$$$

Decentralized Sewer

““Decentralized” SewerDecentralized” Sewer

Characterized by….Characterized by….• Smaller volumesSmaller volumes• Shorter lengths of pipeShorter lengths of pipe• Small diameter pipesSmall diameter pipes

Smaller flows, little or Smaller flows, little or nono solids solids

• Simple treatment plantsSimple treatment plants Little or no solids handling, high quality effluentsLittle or no solids handling, high quality effluents

• In-ground disposal or reuse of effluents In-ground disposal or reuse of effluents • More cost-effectiveMore cost-effective

• Utility Managed!Utility Managed!

Mobile, ALMobile, AL

13 “cluster” systems in operation13 “cluster” systems in operation• Commercial, residential, and schoolsCommercial, residential, and schools• 10,000 gpd to 60,000 gpd10,000 gpd to 60,000 gpd• 45 to 270 homes (each system)45 to 270 homes (each system)• 1665 home equivalent (total)1665 home equivalent (total)

Owned and Operated by 3 different Owned and Operated by 3 different public utilitiespublic utilities

Mobile Systems Consist of: Mobile Systems Consist of:

Effluent SewerEffluent Sewer• interceptor tanksinterceptor tanks• Collection…short lengths, small Collection…short lengths, small

diameterdiameter

TreatmentTreatment –simple, attached –simple, attached growth, low O&Mgrowth, low O&M

In-ground disposal or reuseIn-ground disposal or reuse• UIC Permits (State EPA…>10,000 UIC Permits (State EPA…>10,000

gpd)gpd)

Utility managementUtility management• Construction specsConstruction specs• Treatment system operationTreatment system operation• Collection and treatment system Collection and treatment system

maintenance, including septage maintenance, including septage managementmanagement

• billingbilling

Cluster SystemCluster System

Effluent SewerEffluent Sewer(one type of alternative collection)(one type of alternative collection)

Septic tank at each home removes solids (and liquifies)Septic tank at each home removes solids (and liquifies) Liquids only are transported in the sewerLiquids only are transported in the sewer Small-diameter (2” to 4” pvc) sewers are the normSmall-diameter (2” to 4” pvc) sewers are the norm

Source: Orenco Systems,Inc.

Johnson Road HomeJohnson Road Home

Septic tank in front yard

Control panel

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 In-tank effluent filter and pump vaultvault

Treatment System TechnologiesTreatment System Technologies(many types available)(many types available)

• Highly efficient• Small Footprint• Low solids production• Cost effective

Lotus “Active-Cell” (by Aquapoint)

Fluidized, fixed-film reactor

Lotus “Active-Cell”Lotus “Active-Cell”Aerobic Basin and Fluidized Media BedAerobic Basin and Fluidized Media Bed

Aquapoint BioclereAquapoint BioclereAttached GrowthAttached Growth

Bioclere O&MBioclere O&M1.1. What equipment is required for typical operation & What equipment is required for typical operation &

maintenance?maintenance?

A Sludge JudgeA Sludge Judge will allow you to determine the depth of the sludge blanket will allow you to determine the depth of the sludge blanket in any tank where sludge is stored.in any tank where sludge is stored.

A Bottle BrushA Bottle Brush is required for Bioclere operations and is used to clean the is required for Bioclere operations and is used to clean the dosing array spray nozzles.dosing array spray nozzles.

An Amp MeterAn Amp Meter will allow you the check pump amperage to ensure their will allow you the check pump amperage to ensure their functionality without having to pull them out of the Bioclere, Lotus or other functionality without having to pull them out of the Bioclere, Lotus or other Aquapoint treatment equipment.Aquapoint treatment equipment.

A pH, Ammonia, Nitrate and Alkalinity kitA pH, Ammonia, Nitrate and Alkalinity kit will help you perform quick field will help you perform quick field tests to determine influent and effluent wastewater conditions.tests to determine influent and effluent wastewater conditions.

A small Spare PartsA small Spare Parts inventoryinventory is recommended so that if a piece of is recommended so that if a piece of equipment needs to be replaced it can be done in a timely manor. equipment needs to be replaced it can be done in a timely manor.

  

Bioclere O&M (cont.)Bioclere O&M (cont.)

2. How often do I pump the primary or septic tank?2. How often do I pump the primary or septic tank?The primary tank should be pumped once the sludge has The primary tank should be pumped once the sludge has reached 1/3 the liquid depth. Sludge depth can be determined reached 1/3 the liquid depth. Sludge depth can be determined using a sludge judge. Sludge accumulation and pumping using a sludge judge. Sludge accumulation and pumping frequency depends on the tank volume and the organic loading frequency depends on the tank volume and the organic loading to the treatment system. to the treatment system.

  3. How often do I clean the Bioclere spray nozzles?3. How often do I clean the Bioclere spray nozzles?

Nozzle cleaning frequency is a function of organic and Nozzle cleaning frequency is a function of organic and hydraulic loading to the plant. Cleaning the nozzles once a hydraulic loading to the plant. Cleaning the nozzles once a month is usually sufficient for most applications. month is usually sufficient for most applications.

Biomicrobics FASTBiomicrobics FASTAerated Fixed-FilmAerated Fixed-Film

Delta BiopodDelta Biopodaerated fixed-filmaerated fixed-film

Recirculating Sand Filter Module SchematicRecirculating 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 TreatmentTextile Media Filter Treatment(an inside look)(an inside look)

Ball valves (for flushing)

Orifice and splash cap

Champion Hills WWTF – 30,000 Champion Hills WWTF – 30,000 gpdgpd

Simple, Textile Media TreatmentSimple, Textile Media Treatment(30,000 gpd…150 homes)(30,000 gpd…150 homes)

Copeland Island Residential DevelopmentCopeland Island Residential Development(West Mobile, AL…220+ homes on decentralized sewer)(West Mobile, AL…220+ homes on decentralized sewer)

Dauphin Environmental Equipment, LLC

BODBODCopeland Island RSFCopeland Island RSF

Flow: 6000 to 11,000 gpd

199189

172

116

135153

104121

148

169152

209

164

10 12 7 4 7 5 8 1220

125 4 3

0

50

100

150

200

250

Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

Month

BO

D,

mg

/L

BODin

BODout

Subsurface Drip IrrigationSubsurface Drip Irrigation(Small amounts of Treated Effluent Supplied to Plant Roots)(Small amounts of Treated Effluent Supplied to Plant Roots)

Subsurface Drip Reuse…ParksSubsurface Drip Reuse…Parks

Subsurface Drip Reuse…Subsurface Drip Reuse…Landscaping & TrailsLandscaping & Trails

Decentralized Cluster System

O&M Costs

Power (20,000 gpd…~90 homes) $70/mo.

Weekly/Monthly sampling

Upkeep (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 ModelUtility Management Model DeveloperDeveloper

• Pays utility $500 to $3000 per lot—for WWTFPays utility $500 to $3000 per lot—for WWTF• Deeds land for WWTF to utilityDeeds land for WWTF to utility• Installs sewer main in development (2”-4” line)Installs sewer main in development (2”-4” line)• Pays “tap fee” ($1700-$3200) as each house is Pays “tap fee” ($1700-$3200) as each house is

soldsold• For STEP or STEG system, onsiteFor STEP or STEG system, onsite

UtilityUtility• Builds and operates WWTFBuilds and operates WWTF• Installs and maintains STEP or STEG systems Installs and maintains STEP or STEG systems

onsiteonsite

HomeownerHomeowner• Pays a monthly sewer fee ($30-$40/month)Pays a monthly sewer fee ($30-$40/month)

Decentralized Wastewater ManagementDecentralized Wastewater Management

SummarySummary

Smaller scale wastewater managementSmaller scale wastewater management Lesser infrastructure and costLesser infrastructure and cost Protects public health & the environmentProtects public health & the environment Can enhance property values and livability Can enhance property values and livability Follows “smart growth” idealsFollows “smart growth” ideals